Barbara Rider

Barbara Rider, PhD, OT, FAOTA, professor emeritus from Western Michigan, passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, April 11 at Friendship Village in the assisted living apartments.

A beloved member of the Kalamazoo community, she was born as Barbara Abernathy Rider on December 9, 1931 in Waupaca, Wisconsin to John and Dorothy (von Berg) Burnham. Born in the midst of the Great Depression, Barbara, her brother Don and sister Sally were raised in a loving home. Dorothy was fascinated by butterflies and the kids would collect caterpillars to form chrysalis from which the monarchs would emerge. When the cheesecloth fell off the container the chrysalis formed under dining room chairs and elsewhere throughout their home. It was a magical experience when the monarchs appeared all over inside the house – magical experiences were a theme she created for her family and herself throughout her 94 years.

During World War II Barbara, Don and Sally pitched in to support the war effort by collecting down from the ducks to insulate coats for the service men. Her childhood was typical of a young girl growing up in a small town – chasing butterflies, going on picnics in every season, playing outdoors in the summertime and ice skating in the wintertime on the frozen chain of lakes. She continued the tradition of picnics with her own family when after a long day at work, she would come home and have the kids and friends pile into a small Volkswagen Bug and take off for Gage Park for a picnic and playing. Barbara's was a happy childhood and she ensured her new family had many of the similar experiences.

Upon graduation from Waupaca High School Barbara followed in her Mother's footsteps and attended Lawrence College in Appleton, pursuing a liberal arts education, before transferring to the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she met her first husband Richard Towner Rider. Richard served in the army and they moved to Japan during the Korean War. Mom's passage was on a large ship and they chose to live off base amongst the local population – continuing a theme throughout her life of wanting to have unique experiences. Returning to Madison after Richard's discharge Barbara received a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy and started her first position as Director of Occupational Therapy at Madison General Hospital.

Barbara, always one to do things a bit out of the ordinary, made sure the family was unique. Their first daughter, Deborah, was born in 1956 when there were 48 states. Sarah, the middle child, was born in 1959 when there were only 49 states and the baby of the family, Jill, was born in 1962 when there were 50 states – she obviously didn't plan this but loved that her girls, within one family, had that distinction.

The family moved from Wisconsin to Liberty Missouri, in the late 50's to pursue job opportunities and then on to Topeka, Kansas. While raising the family in Topeka, Barbara continued her professional career. First she applied for and was accepted for a staff position at the VA hospital in Topeka where she was eventually appointed as the Chief of the OT section. She worked primarily with veterans on various projects helping them to be as productive in life as they could be. She also worked at the world famous Menninger Foundation. One of her research projects was with a psychiatrist who was conducting research on the effectiveness of prescribing LSD in a safe, controlled, clinical environment for the treatment of psychiatric disorders – which at the time was very experimental and highly controversial. Her participation in the study involved examining pre and post paintings to determine the positive impact of psychedelics on depression. She was very excited that her earliest research experience is now being reintroduced as a promising therapeutic intervention.

After the success at the VA, Barbara was appointed the Director of Occupational Therapy for the Capper Foundation for Crippled Children, where she learned about and applied emerging therapeutic approaches. Barbara then was appointed as Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Kansas where she successfully blended clinical expertise with teaching, scholarship, mentoring and service at various local, state and national venues. While working at KU she received her Master's degree in OT.

In 1976 Barbara moved to Kalamazoo to begin a long association with Western Michigan's department of Occupational Therapy and was the chair of the department for many years. While working at Western Barbara continued her pursuit of higher education and received her PhD from the University of Michigan.

Barbara's 60 plus years working in the OT field exemplified her passion for helping those with disabilities. It was always a passion, and never just a job to Barbara. Despite retiring from WMU in 1991, she continued her work well into her 80's.

Through her work she met Fred Sammons, a fellow OT therapist and entrepreneur, early in the 1980's. Their combined passion for helping those who were disadvantaged transitioned to a mutual respect for each other and it soon blossomed into more than a love for the profession, leading to a 40+ year loving partnership. They combined their energies thru a pursuit of excellence in helping others thru their work with AMBUCS (a nonprofit that provide rehabilitative tricycles to children and adults alike that need assistance), attending OT conferences around the country and overseas and providing opportunities to those pursuing the OT profession thru generosity of scholarships and support for professional organizations. After being together nearly 40 years they decided to make it permanent resulting in their marriage at the young age of 92 for Barbara and 95 for Fred. After a robust 3 day engagement, they "tied the knot" during one of their regular workout sessions at the West Hills Athletic Club with several of their exercise buddies in attendance with one of them officiating. It definitely made one of the top 10 sports highlights of the day.

Her passion for service to others contributed to the public sector as well. Barbara served as a commissioner on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners for several years. Her philanthropy, along with Fred's resulted in local, regional and national organizations receiving their support, including serving on boards of various women's support groups, local and state political groups, nature conservancy groups and the Western Michigan University community. Their generosity to Western resulted in the Department of Occupational Therapy Assistant Program being renamed the Dr. Barbara A Rider and Dr. Frederic W Sammons department. Barbara and Fred's philanthropic passion also applied to the arts thru service and contributions to various musical, theater and the creative arts organizations and groups in and around Kalamazoo.

Because 4 universities played such an important role in Barbara's life she was never shy about cheering on the Badgers, the Jayhawks, the Broncos and the Wolverines and she was not shy about letting you know if one of her teams was victorious. You sometimes would be surprised in a visit to her house if you used the bathroom to hear "Hail to the Victors" if you happened to have the need for some toilet paper. She was thrilled the Broncos won the National Championship in hockey and she passed knowing her beloved Wolverines came out on top in the 2026 March Madness tournament!!!

Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband, Fred; her parents, John and Dorothy Burnham; her siblings, Don Burnham, and Sally Burnham, and grandchild Nayuk (Robin) Hawley.

Surviving are her children Deborah (Tom) Schroeder. Sarah (Oscar Sage) Rider, Jill (Mark) Kruse; grandchildren Sam (Shannon) Schroeder, Austin (Dr. Ali) Schroeder, Dr. Zack (Caroline) Schroeder, Sarah (Jim Bucher) Kruse, Amy (Dustin Forrest) Kruse, Paayiq (Angeline) Hawley;, Kapiyu (Robert) Hawley, Isun (Alexis) Hawley and Aqugak (George) Hawley; great grandchildren: Luke, Wilson, Frances Abernathy, Jackson, Charlie, Aubrey, Joane.

Interment will take place at 2:30 PM on Friday April 17th at the Oshtemo West Cemetery. Please join us at a Celebration of Life reception on Friday, April 17, at 4:00 PM at the Old Winery, 646 N. Nursery St., Lawton MI (266-454-7803). Barbara had so many interests the family requests that contributions be made to an organization of your choice that would best reflect and honor your memories of your time with Barbara.

Pallbearers will be Mark Kruse, Tom Schroeder, Oscar Sage, Sam Schroeder, Austin Schroeder and Ben Atchison.