More on Barbara Bachman

Like many of our viewers, I'm still struggling with what happened to the Bachman family in Beijing. It's hard to believe such a random, awful crime on the other side of the world could have such a deep impact in Minnesota.

I didn't know them. But some of my friends know them. That's because Barbara was an occupational therapist for the Lakeville School District.

This alone says volumes about what kind of woman she is. Considering the success of her husband's family, she certainly didn't have to work. But as many of the Bachmans' friends keep reminding us, no job or task has ever been too small for them. "You could be in a crowd of kings and queens, and they'd fit in," says friend Don Storlie. "And they could come out here to a farming community and fit right in."

As a therapist, Barbara worked with elementary school kids. But her job didn't stop when the kids left 6th grade.

"She would follow kids past their graduation, make sure they were doing OK," says former colleague Sharon Harnisch Krueger. "If she stopped working with them in 6th grade, she'd check in during 7th and 8th grade to see if they were still doing fine. She's just a wonderful person."

Linda Swanson is the communications specialist for Lakeville Schools. Her son, Eric, had Cerebral Palsy. Barbara was his therapist.

"When he thinks back to the people who molded his life, she's one of them," Swanson says.

Barbara touched him and guided him along. Her son is now a successful man. At age 26, he's a regional vice president for Allianz.

The tributes don't stop there. Bachman's created an online guestbook that allows friends and strangers to share their thoughts and memories. Some of the comments talk about Barbara's work as an occupational therapist.

"Barbara Bachman was one of our daughters' teachers at CHE in Lakeville," writes Carolyn. "I remember how open and caring she was with our daughter and how she helped us understand the world of special ed. We will pray for her speedy recovery and that there will be peace for all of you."

A sentiment that is being echoed many times over.

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