Richard Barrett

Richard Barrett A native of Republic, Washington, and Santa Clara Valley resident for 79 years passed away at home on Sunday, February 20, 2005, at the age of 94. He was a graduate of Santa Clara High School, class of 1928.

Dick, as he was known to friends and readers of his San Jose News column, had a sharp wit. In his column, which ran from 1954 until his retirement in 1977, he wrote about politics, local history, people and events. He started his career at the paper in 1928, as the part-time correspondent for the Burbank district. In 1929 he was hired as a full-time reporter and from 1936 to 1954 was City Editor. Dick also wrote the Joe Weatherman feature that for many years appeared on the front page of the paper above the local forecast. He said he enjoyed his career at the paper and had fun doing it.

Dick was the recipient of many awards and proclamations from city and state for his achievements during his 49-year career as a newspaperman. He was a member of the San Jose Bicentennial Commission that helped plan the celebrations for the nation's and city's 200th birthday.

After retiring from the paper, Dick kept writing - verses, poems (some of which won prizes) and song lyrics. In all, 127 verses were published in the Wall Street Journal, Saturday Evening Post, Christian Science Monitor and National Enquirer. One of his songs, The Spirit of '76, music by Leonard Auletti, was written and performed for the bicentennial celebration.

His passion, however, became watercolor painting which he took up as a hobby just before his retirement. Dick said that he enjoyed the challenge of solving design problems but he modestly described himself as "a painter, not an artist". In 2002 and 2003, he won the Beyond the Surface award at the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society shows at the Triton Museum.

Dick is survived by Gertrude, his wife of 63 years and daughters Kathleen Barrett of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Eileen Mitchell of Cupertino.

Visitation Thursday, February 24, beginning at 4 p.m., followed by a Vigil at 7 p.m. at LIMA FAMILY ERICKSON MORTUARY, 710 Willow Street, San Jose. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, February 25, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, Booksin and Curtner Ave., San Jose. Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his name to the California Watercolor Association, National Show Awards Chairman, Box 4631, Walnut Creek, Calif., 94596 for the Richard Barrett Award.