Obituary of Paul A. Farrar

SOUTH BURLINGTON: PAUL A. FARRAR SR. Former South Burlington City Council Chairman Paul Alden Farrar Sr. succumbed after a brief and valiant battle with Glioblastoma Multiform brain cancer on July 11, 2013. The son of Stewart and Mary Farrar, he was born in Warrensburg, N.Y., on May 31, 1931. He graduated at the top of his class from Warrensburg High School in 1949, and attended Champlain College in Plattsburgh from 1949-51. He then transferred to New York University, where he received his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1953. Farrar continued his post-graduate education at NYU and earned a Master's in Material Science in 1955, and a Doctorate in Engineering Science in February 1963. His doctoral research commissioned by the DOD lead to his development of the alloy Titanium 662. He continued on as a Research Fellow at NYU, until joining IBM Burlington in 1968. He received the IBM Corporate Award for use of a polymide to improve microchip performance. This work was instrumental to the development of modern semiconductor technology. Farrar remained with IBM until 1994. After leaving IBM, Farrar continued his work in the semi-conductor industry as an Adjunct Research Fellow with the Micron Research Institute. Farrar holds nearly 200 US patents related to material science. In 1966, he served as the Chairman of the American Society of Metals New York Chapter and was a member of the American Metallurgical Society for over 60 years. In addition to his professional achievements, Paul A. Farrar Sr. was active in local politics. Farrar served five terms on the South Burlington City Council from 1973-1991, and 15 years as Chairman. Farrar was recognized for his leadership during a period of unprecedented growth in Chittenden County, and his dedication to maintaining a stable ratio of commercial and residential property. His efforts helped establish the Dorset Street City Center, which included the construction of the municipal building, as well as the establishment of William Szymanski and Overlook Parks. He was the inaugural chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Commission Organization in 1983, and served for 15 years. Farrar also volunteered in the community and was a charter member of the South Burlington Rotary Club, of which he remained an active member. Paul Farrar retired fully in 2008, and he and his wife began splitting their time between their home in South Burlington and a winter retreat in Hilton Head, S.C., where he was an active member of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church. He was a loving husband and encouraging father who signed off every voice message with, "Have fun!" He took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and was a non-judgmental counselor in their times of trouble. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Sally A. Farrar; their four children, Paul A. Farrar Jr. (Suzanne) of Duchess County, N.Y., John S. Farrar of Richmond, Va., Charles G. Farrar (Marcia Avadon) of Mooresville N.C., and Mary Ellen Farrar of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren and one stepgranddaughter; as well as sister, Barbara Moore of League City, Texas, and Warrensburg, N.Y. His brother, James, preceded him in death. In lieu of flowers, please make donations the Hospice Care of the Low Country; or the Vermont Visiting Nurse Association. Services will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 10 a.m. A graveside service will be conducted 4 pm Saturday, July 20th in the Warrensburg Cemetery. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.