RICHARD CLARK "DICK" BARKER

1926 - 2017

Richard Clark "Dick" Barker passed away peacefully on February 23, 2017 at the age of 90. He was born on March 27, 1926, to Elizabeth Fuller Leeds and George Myron Barker, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He graduated from Choate School in 1944. He married Sela Wadhams in 1948, after meeting her on a blind date arranged by one of his roommates. They made their home in North Haven for over sixty years. After serving in the Navy in Panama during World War II, Dick returned to attend Yale University, where he was a third generation graduate in 1950. Continuing at Yale, he earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering and went on to become a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Science, receiving many awards and honors. He notably founded the Yale Center for Microelectronic Materials and Structures in 1984, which he directed until his retirement. He retired in 2000, after a fifty year career at Yale. An enthusiastic traveler, his work with international scientists bridged political boundaries and embraced culture. Venerated for his patient approach to complex subject matter, love of university life, and caring involvement in the lives of his students and colleagues, Dick was a mentor to many who have become leaders in academia and industry throughout the world. He had a wonderful wit, and was an accomplished limerick-writer and cartoonist. Dick was a loving husband and father. He will be greatly missed by his daughter Sela and granddaughters Ellen (Nathan) and Lauren and son Kirt (Ariana) and granddaughters Sofia and Ariana, and all who knew him. A Celebration of Life is planned in June. Donations in his memory can be made to Yale University.