Douglas Jude Bar
April 10, 1956 - May 12, 2026
Obituary
MADISON / STOUGHTON - Douglas Jude Bar, age 70, passed away on May 12, 2026, in Madison, Wis.
Doug was born on April 10, 1956, in Detroit, Mich., to Richard and Marilyn Bar. He proudly served in the United States Navy, where he met Ruth Barrow. They were married on April 25, 1981, at the United States Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Md., and later settled in Stoughton, Wis., where they raised their family.
Doug worked as a Maintenance Technician with SSM Health until retiring in 2018. Later in life, he graduated summa cum laude from Cardinal Stritch University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management, an accomplishment of which he was very proud.
Doug loved music, fishing, karaoke, travel, community involvement, and time spent with family and friends. He was a past president of the Stoughton Lions Club where he received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, and a member of the Stoughton American Legion Post 59. He was also an avid performer, singing with church and community choirs throughout the years.
Doug was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Bar, who was his partner through 39 years of marriage, family, and life together. In recent years, he was grateful to find love again with his fiancée, Julie Nygaard. The two shared many happy travels and adventures and became engaged in 2022.
Doug is survived by his fiancée, Julie Nygaard; daughter, Kristin (Charles) Willcutt; son, Brian (Jess Hopp) Bar; his fiancée’s daughter, Anja (Margot Manzer) Nygaard; grandsons, Henry and Franklin Willcutt; brothers, Terrance (Michele) Bar and Richard (Robin) Bar; sister, Mary Anne Bar; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. He is also survived by his cats, Sundance and Griffin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Marilyn Bar; and his sister, Anita Kenski.
A funeral service will be held at First Lutheran Church, 310 E. Washington St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, with Pastor Bill Lehman presiding. Burial will be held at Town of Dunn Burying Ground. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590