Barbara's Biography

I was born in Northampton, Massachusetts in November 1942. At that time my parents lived in Easthampton which did not have a hospital. My parents divorced in early 1953 and we moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

I went to the Kalamazoo schools graduating in 1960. From there I went to Western Michigan University and graduated with a degree in Secretarial Science.

Robert Bos and I were married in April 1963 and I was a homemaker until 1980. While a homemaker I studied oil painting and also did pen and ink drawings. I loved being involved in anything creative and did the Arts and Crafts circuit for about 7 years selling my creative creations. I learned lapidary and enjoyed playing with my "rocks". I also started writing poetry.

In 1977 I got my first metal detector as a gift and loved finding "treasures" in the ground. In 1978 Robert and I took our first trip with Adventures International to metal detect in Man of War Kay in the Bahama Out Island. That started my love of metal detecting. Many trips followed.

In 1980 a friend asked me to help her by minding her booth during the day at the Allegan County Fair. That lead to working at her store when needed. From there I went to work at the Premier Printing Company doing whatever they needed doing which included bookkeeping, head of shipping, binding etc. I loved the variety of this job.

My marriage broke up in 1985 and I moved to Florida to take a job at Kellyco (the largest metal detector wholesaler in the U.S.) and eventually worked for Carolyn Auerbach whose husband owned Kellyco. She called her company Lost Treasure Vacations and was a travel agent wholesaler. I eventually was her manager for the company and also the tour guide taking groups of treasure hunters to the various Caribbean Islands.

In 1990 Jack and I were married and we detected daily until March of 1995. We moved from Tampa, Florida to Arab, Alabama during March 1995 and have found our permanent home. Now I fish when I wish to, have a small garden where I can grow some of our vegetables and cook to my hearts content. We no longer metal detect as a hobby.

I love my life and the wonderful journey I have been on. Life is great in the "slow lane" of life.

  • Barbara and Cousin Eric in 1946.
    Barbara and Cousin Eric in 1946.
  • Barbara, Don, Frank in 1952.
    Barbara, Don, Frank in 1952.
  • Barbara's 1962 engagement picture.
    Barbara's 1962 engagement picture.
  • Barbara and Jack, February 1990.
    Barbara and Jack, February 1990.
  • Barbara with her brothers, Ed (lief) and Don in June 2008.
    Barbara with her brothers, Ed (lief) and Don in June 2008.

Some more pictures of me and my family are on the family pages.