Omar N. Barth, 97, of Vero Beach, passed away on July 1, 2014.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; three children, Dr. Barbara Barth Frink, Barry N. Barth (Lynn Bock), and Bruce W. Barth (Linda); six grandchildren, Nathaniel and David Frink, Samuel and Molly Barth, and David and Steven Barth; four great-grandchildren, Lucas Frink, and Isabella, Abigail, and Madeline Frink.
Barth was a resident of Vero Beach for 27 years. He was a retired American Baptist minister, serving four churches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Oregon.
He was born Sept. 1, 1916, and was the only child of Warren and Olive Barth. He enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in chemical engineering. He felt called into the Christian ministry and transferred to Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., receiving his Bachelor’s degree in 1937. Studies continued at Eastern Baptist Seminary in Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree. This was followed by a Master’s degree from Temple University. Further graduate studies continued at NYU.
During a three-year student pastorate in Clinton, N.J., he married the former Margaret E. Moore of Port Huron, Mich. They celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary in September 2013.
In 1942 the Barths were called to the First Baptist Church of Newtown Square, Penn. In 1950 they accepted an invitation to pastor the Calvary Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon. Six years later he became senior minister of the Broadway Baptist Church in Paterson, N.J., serving there for almost 24 years until retirement in 1979.
Dr. Barth served on the Board of Eastern Baptist Seminary and Eastern College. The latter institution conferred on him a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1959.
Throughout his ministry Dr. Barth was deeply concerned for the outreach of the church, both locally and beyond, and served on the Boards of National and International Missions of his denomination.
Calvary Baptist in Salem was recognized for devoting half of its total income one year to missions. While serving in Salem, he made two around-the-world trips via prop plane, visiting Baptist missions, and filming his travels. He created three travelogues that were screened over the years for hundreds of church audiences.
Along with his special gift for preaching and teaching, Dr. Barth was a true Pastor. His love and concern for each member of his congregation was experienced by all. One theme in particular was expressed in the many letters written to him at the time of his resignation, “You were always there.”
During retirement Dr. Barth served as interim pastor at four churches. He and Margaret also delivered Meals on Wheels every week for more than 20 years and operated an antique books and collectibles business.
Dr. Barth was an avid traveler. In addition to his round-the- world journeys, he led half a dozen church group tours to the Holy Land and Europe. In retirement he and Margaret continued their world travels, visiting more than 20 countries, as well as travelling extensively in the U.S. Other interests included U.S. history, especially the Civil War era and Lincoln, miniature golf, and baseball. He was a devoted Yankees fan.
There will be a Memorial Service Tuesday, July 8, at 11 a.m. at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. Those who wish to honor Dr. Barth are encouraged to donate to the church or in his memory. Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
