James Barr tribute page

Posted on October 11th, 2011
James Barr tribute page

Science lecturer James Barr, who taught at City College Norwich for 7 years, tragically died on 28 September 2011.  James will be greatly missed by all who knew him and our thoughts go out to his family at this time.  We have set up this tribute page, so that anyone who was taught by James or who worked with him can leave their memories and messages. 

Thank you all for your comments, it's been really heart-warming to hear how you felt about James, he will be a great loss. We have now closed commenting on this page but will leave everything else here for others to read.

Many thanks again for all the kind thoughts and words.
 

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Comments

Very shocked and such sad

by nicola_lf - 20/10/2011 - 21:52

Very shocked and such sad news.
I was taught gcse science by james barr 2 years ago and he was the most enthusiastic lecturer i have ever met at the college.

He always had that little bit of extra time to help you out if you were struggling or missed a lesson and he made lessons fun.

RIP ;)

Legendary Teacher Man.

by s1reader - 20/10/2011 - 11:45

James,I never met you before but from these comments you were a very popular person.who devoted there life to this college.

thank you,

RIP x

One True Legend.

Steven Paul

Student Rep

James-shaped space

by towcho - 20/10/2011 - 10:40

We only had James for a few weeks, but his inspiration led me to pursue chemistry. He seems to have lived life for every minute and he told us on day one that he was really a frustrated rock star. He loved life and everything he did communicated that. He will not be forgotten.

Such sad news to hear

by Kellyb - 21/10/2011 - 10:51

I was taught by James when I studied Access to Natural Sciences last year. James was such a charismatic person and made chemistry fun. He would happily go through anything that wasn't understood and was a excellent lecturer as well as a lovely person.

My condolences go to his family and colleagues.

RIP James

James I'll miss you

by sam_page - 18/10/2011 - 19:32

I had the great privilege of being taught by James when I completed the access to science course, he taught me chemistry and health studies. He managed to make every single lesson interesting and easy to understnd, which I think was an amazing skill.
The knowledge that James had never ceased to amaze me. He was a truly inspirational man and I feel so lucky to have known him and to have been taught by him. I really don't think I could have completed my access course without him. If I ever struggled with anything he was always more than happy to help, even with assignmets for subjects he didn't even teach! He could never be replaced.
RIP James, I'll never forget you xx

James

by Clare_N - 18/10/2011 - 17:08

James was, without a doubt, the best teacher I ever came across throughout my years in education. He was patient, and his sheer passion for his subject was incredible. He always had time for a chat, or a quick song on his guitar.
James will be missed by all those lucky enough to have known him. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time xxxxxx

James was an amazing teacher

by a1kaznowski - 18/10/2011 - 13:04

James was an amazing teacher and a real inspiration, he made us laugh and drove us to work harder through his sheer passion for the subject, i will miss him a lot as he was an amazing teacher and a great friend.

did things differently

by jaynecrook - 16/10/2011 - 19:45

I would like to express my deepest condolences to James' family for his recent passing.

Meeting James was like a breath of fresh, but crazy air. As a mature student and studying Access to Medicine, returning to education was a shock. James changed my life. He passionatley enthused about subjects he taught us. I would look forward to every lesson, knowing I would leave understanding what the last hour had been about and having heard some great tales along the way. Without James I know I would not be in my final year of Medicine, months from (hopefully) qualifying. Many of my colleagues, now doctors feel James was an inspiration at a time of great stress and angst. Effortlessly, James filled the room with joy and gave himself, always. My favourite memory of James is at a house party we had at the end of the year, the group having invited the teachers, assuming no one would turn up - they all did! James brought his guitar, and we all sat around outside til the wee small hours. Never wanting the limelight, James was always centre of attention because he was fabulously talented and one of the most kindhearted people Ive met. Lots of love. X

I was lucky enough to have

by funkybuddha1970 - 16/10/2011 - 17:35

I was lucky enough to have James as my teacher last year on the Science for Health Practitioners Access course. I hated science at school but he made Chemistry interesting to me. One memorable lesson was James singing about diseases whilst playing his guitar. When I had been to my interview at the UEA the next time he saw me he asked how it had gone, he had remembered even though he had a lot of students and it had been a week before. I know he is one of the reasons that I got through my course and into University to study for my Nursing Degree. My thoughts go out to his family, who he talked of often. A truly wonderful man

to an inspirational lecturer

by k1kingstonmiles - 15/10/2011 - 15:44

James Barr was one of the most inspirational lecturers that I have had, and was truelly fantastic at inspriring minds.James had the ability to draw you in, and leave you wanting more after the lecture had finished, giving you the enthusiasm to research further.His sense of humour, that beamimg smile and his genuine passion to share all his knowledge in my mind makes him a true legend. If it wasn't for his drive to see all his students suceed and flourish I wouldnt be where I am to day studying for a degree. Thank you James and rest in peace. Just wish I had said it when you were still with us.

Tribute to a great teacher

by c2litten - 14/10/2011 - 19:25

James you only taught me for a few weeks but your influence and great eclectic teaching skills made the subject which scares me most - chemistry seem not so daunting! You also gave me some great advice on my choice of degree and I will be following that advice. You will be sadly missed xx

The best teacher

by j1fang - 13/10/2011 - 21:21

He only taught us two weeks of the course, I've only seen him twice,but his profound impact on me. he was a very humorous person, I liked the way his class.Hope everything is well in his heaven.

RIP James

by v2gallagher - 13/10/2011 - 10:12

James was well loved within the College; no one has a bad word to say about him; he was a great lecturer and will be missed.

RIP James

James

by icampbel - 13/10/2011 - 08:05

I was helping James the day before he passed away, he was his usual cheerful and enthusisatic self. I feel sad that he is no longer with us and send my best wishes to all his family and friends.

Such a great teacher.

by sslater - 12/10/2011 - 20:34

We were only taught by James for a few weeks but what an impact he made! From day one I looked forward to his lessons and laughed in every one, I just wish there could of been more. He was so funny and enthusiastic and I feel privileged to of been taught by him.

I had the privilege of

by lsouthgate - 12/10/2011 - 17:42

I had the privilege of meeting James prior to starting college through my friendship with his son. My main memories of James were jamming together with him and his son with James playing the drums, and him kindly fixing my guitar for me when the wiring broke. He was a very talented musician, and a really kind and funny person.

When I started studying I saw how much of an excellent teacher he was too, I learnt a lot in a short time - he made the lessons memorable, funny and interesting. He was a great man and I am very happy to have known him.

R.I.P James

Great teacher

by woody12174 - 12/10/2011 - 12:30

I was taught both Chemistry and Health Studies by James last year and was deeply saddened to hear the news. He brought great enthusiasm for what he was teaching, a genuine care for those he taught, incredible knowledge and a brilliant, if sometimes, cheeky sense of humour...this all contributed to him being a fantastic teacher and a thoroughly decent guy. I can genuinely say that I enjoyed every lesson he taught and for someone that actually hated science in my younger days, that is praise indeed. RIP James!

Such an amazing person and

by e1elcock - 12/10/2011 - 03:19

Such an amazing person and teacher, he was always so happy! I remember he used to make up songs about chemistry and play his guitar to it. My wishes go to his family. R.I.P James, you'll be missed! x

You will never be forgotten

by m1predescu - 12/10/2011 - 02:35

My thoughts go out to his familiy, I will never forget the sight of him in the lab climbing on the table to point us to the periodic table. His energy and dedication to Chemistry are an inspiration to me.
R.I.P James, wish I could've known you better and spent more time together in class.

James was one legendary

by r1uddin - 11/10/2011 - 22:00

James was one legendary teacher, so enthusiastic and energetic for his age
He was a great teacher you can never forget it.
RIP James, we all miss you.

Facebook comments

by Richard Steer - 11/10/2011 - 14:09

The following comments were posted on the City College Norwich facebook page:

Kimberley Skipper: we would all like to give our condolences he will be truely missed best teacher ever x

Lisa Alaniz: he was a great teacher and will def be missed,x

Laura Wright: He was a fantastic teacher, always made my group laugh. RIP James x

Tania Foley: One of the best teachers, will be sorely missed- condolences to your family x

Epic Ninjaa: I didn't know him, but he will be missed. R.I.P x

Michelle Thomas: I feel so numb but i know I'll cry when that wears off. James was a fantastic man and inspirational teacher. I'm sure he's partly responsible for me sailing through my uni interview and why i did so well in my studies. I know he'll be greatly missed and feel bad for those being taught by him at the time who just lost a wonderful teacher. RIP James, you were a legend

Laura Broadbent: a friend just started in his classes! how shocking to happen so quickly! really makes you think about life. very sad news!

Rachel Coverdale: We will miss him! Inspirational teacher!

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