Hmmm! Just doing a little detective work here.
If Barr joined the GB in 1977, that means he may have authored or had something to do with the expression .... "A simple 'Hello' to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?" (KEEP YOURSELVES IN GOD'S LOVE pg 207).
That expression first appears in the Watchtower of Sept 15, 1981 pg 25 ('Disfellowshipping-How To View It'). Barr had already been a GB member for about 5 or 6 years when that article was written.
Some may wonder ...'Whats' the big deal with that expression in those articles?'
Its' just that the expression itself fosters and further encourages the hatred and cold shoulder treatment toward tens of thousands who otherwise should be forgiven of sin (especially if repentant) as Jesus said. And 'loving' Bro. Barr could very well have been a party to that expressions' authorship (IMO a very mean spirited phrase).