Barv Menay, 96, of Pullman, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2014 at Whitman Senior Living. At Barv's request, no formal services will be held and his ashes will be scattered at a later date.

Barv's parents escaped the Turks in the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and immigrated to the United States arriving in Boston. It was in Boston that Barv was born on January 10, 1918 to Nisham and Loicine (Jamgotchian) Minassian. His original birth name was Sahag Bartive Minassian, but he later had it legally changed to become more Americanized.

He grew up and attended school on the East Coast, graduating high school in 1936 in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. He went onto the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with honors with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Shortly thereafter he accepted a job with Boeing and contributed to the war effort by designing and building war aircraft. During his time at Boeing he completed several defense engineering training courses.

In the early 1950's he accepted a position with the Northrop Corporation and was involved in a number of defense contracts. Barv was instrumental in designing an aircraft engine test stand, complete with muffler, which allowed engineers to test aircraft engines while still mounted to the plane.

Barv moved to Pullman after his retirement from Northrop and became a very active observer of city government. He was very interested in the design of the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport and testified at a number of city council meetings on a variety of topics. He was recognized in 1987 by the city for "Outstanding Community Service" for his civic engagement.

Barv is survived by his many friends at Whitman Senior Living as well as those living around Pullman. Memorial contributions in Barv's honor are suggested to the Whitman County Friends of Hospice or to a charity of your choice. Kimball Funeral Home & Crematory of Pullman has been entrusted with arrangements.