Steven Barber

STEVEN BARBER

Cedar Rapids

Steven Robert Barber, 64, of Midlothian, Va., plucked the final string of his air guitar on Friday, April 1, 2016, after living with cancer for more than three years.

Steve was born June 6, 1951, in Sioux City, Iowa. He spent the majority of his childhood in Cedar Rapids and graduated from the University of Iowa. His ventures beyond his beloved corn-filled plains included stints in Miami, Long Island, San Francisco and Cincinnati. A 31-year-long career with AT&T earned him respect and notoriety among his colleagues for his charisma and unique sales techniques.

Steve is survived by his sons, Vance (Emily), Dane and Kemp; wife, Kim, of 23 years; mother, Gloria; brothers, Richard (Nancy) and Scott (Beckie); nieces, Annie, Britany and Lauren; nephews, Christopher and Jimmy; and cousins.

His in-laws loved him for his dry wit, fantastic fried turkey and never-ending home improvement endeavors.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Paul Barber; and son, Blake Steven Barber.

Anyone who had the pleasure of receiving one of Steve's famous hugs has undoubtedly felt the scratchy warmth of his beloved Pendleton shirts, which he habitually wore winter or summer, while gardening or napping. Just as he enjoyed his wooly shirts, Steve had a reverence for the simple things in life: vinyl records, medium rare steaks and telling a good story with his trademark baritone voice. He had an uncanny ability to masterfully listen to people the same way he listened to music: passionately, meticulously, honestly and often. Calm, understanding, wise and loving beyond measure, Steve's patience was unrivaled (unless in regard to a particularly obnoxious cat).

Donations may be made to the Lung Cancer Alliance.

Funerals were not Steve's style, so a Celebration of Life will be held June 4 at the family home, 6208 Lansgate Rd., Midlothian, Va.