WPI/NTPA is deeply saddened to report the passing on Thursday, July 24 of Roland Barr, 82, of Georgetown, Ohio. Over the course of a storied career, Mr. Barr participated in three divisions of NTPA competition: Pro Stock (“Greenline Fever” John Deere), Super Stock, and Two Wheel Drive (“Midnight Mistress” Chevrolet Roadster).
In addition to tending to his own farm, Mr. Barr worked full-time as a sales manager at J D Equipment, a John Deere dealer serving the southwestern Ohio territory, and the Ag Pro dealership.
His first competitive machine was a stock Farmall H that he first hooked at the age of 18 and gradually built up to a dedicated pulling tractor.
Mr. Barr began pulling a single-charger John Deere 4020 a full decade before the formal introduction of the Pro Stock division. He moved onto a 4010 that ran around Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana until the mid-1980s.
He began entering his “Greenline Fever” 4320, outfitted with a custom transmission of his own design and that classic chrome “leaping deer” side shield emblem, in Grand National competition in 1986. He finished third in both the 10,000- and 12,000-lb. classes in 1987 and added an Indy Super Pull victory in 1989. With Pro Stock a designated class on the Pro National circuit in 1991, Mr. Barr was its champion.
Then, Mr. Barr surprised everyone by switching to the multi-charger Super Stock division in 1992, applying the “Fever” label to a 4560 newly purchased from Bill Voreis. In 1996, with the Super sold to Larry Kline, Mr. Barr cut an even more dramatic path into the Two Wheel Drive division when he bought Bryan McDonald’s “Midnight Mistress.”
Mr. Barr is survived by his wife of 49 years, Fonda; son James; daughters Patty (Dave) Begley and Brandi; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation for Mr. Barr’s family and friends is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29 from 10:30 a.m. until noon at Peace Lutheran Church in Arnheim, Ohio. His funeral service will be held Tuesday at noon at the church.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 10581 Day Hill Arnheim Road, Georgetown, Ohio 45121 or to Hospice of Hope, 215 Hughes Boulevard, Mt. Orab, Ohio 45154.
Our hearts go out to Fonda, James, Patty, and Brandi and their family and friends.