Miles H. Barker

Miles Hopkins Barker was born on December 26th, 1922, to Helen Bass Barker and Leland Hartley Barker in Minneapolis, Minnesota.   He died at home on October 1, 2008, in Middleton, Wisconsin.   He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Catherine Frances Smith ""Cathy"" Barker, his beloved twin brother, Hartley Bass Barker, his children, Lynn Barker Severson, Shelley Barker (Larry) Shea, Richard Hopkins (Barbara) Barker, John Hartley (Jan) Barker, and nine grandchildren: Kristi (Doug), Erik (Cynthia), Miles, Anna, Jenna, Lauren, Lee, AJ, and Ross.   Miles moved with his family to Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, in 1933. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1941 and enrolled at Iowa State University in 1942 after having studied for a year at the University of Chicago.   His college study was interrupted by service in the United States Army from 1944 -- 1946.   When he returned from military service, he and Cathy were married on September 1, 1946, in Waukee, Iowa, at the home of her parents.   He then resumed his college studies and graduated from Iowa State University in 1948 with a degree in Industrial Economics.   After graduation, Miles and Cathy moved to Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, where he worked at the Wisconsin Rapids Gas and Electric Company, a family business, until 1964.   During these years he was active in the National Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gas Association, serving as President from 1957-1958.   He attended the First Congregational Church and was a proud member of Kiwanis. In 1965, Miles relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, with his family and founded the 4 Lakes Driver Training School.   He never retired and worked unstintingly to build his school into the thriving business it is today.   He was active in the Driving School Association of America (DSAA) and was President of the organization in 1984 and 1985.   He faithfully attended the DSAA annual conventions until just two years ago, and ceased to attend only then because of poor health.   In Madison, Miles continued his service in Kiwanis and became a charter member of Madison West Kiwanis.   He was a Kiwanis Golden Key Club member, having served the organization for 50 years.   He remained active in Kiwanis until just a few months ago and in fact last year sold $1,400.00 worth of tickets for the Annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. Miles had a beautiful bass voice and loved music of all kinds.   He sang for many years with the Gospel Singers under the direction of the late Ruth Harris, and also in the Madison West Kiwanis Quartet with his dear friends, Fritz Lutze, Gene Prine, and the late Ed Parmenter.   He performed in numerous concerts and events over the years with both of these groups.   A true Wisconsinite, Miles was a faithful and avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and also a boater.   For many years in Wisconsin Rapids, he boated on the Wisconsin River and then kept a 38 ft. cruiser, ""Phasellus,"" in Door County where he and family and friends enjoyed many sunny days on the water.   After the children were grown, Miles and Cathy traveled widely and also spent a few weeks in Arizona each winter.   Services for Miles will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison at 10:00am on Monday, October 6th, with interment following in Wisconsin Rapids at 3:00pm. Memorials may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church or Madison West Kiwanis in Madison, Wisconsin.