Richard Barker

1928 - 2021

Dick Barker, long-time Boulder resident, Navy veteran, and much-loved husband, father and grandfather, died December 7, 2021 at the age of 93. Born September 14, 1928 in Mondamin, Iowa to Herman and Lorene (Behrens) Barker, Dick was the eldest of three brothers. The family moved to Boulder in 1945, where Dick played trombone in the Boulder High School marching band and graduated with the class of 1946. He enrolled in the University of Colorado, joining Phi Delta Theta fraternity, serving with the Navy ROTC, and graduating in 1950 with a degree in Business. After graduation, Dick was commissioned as an ensign, serving throughout his Navy career on three different ships: on the USS Wren as a Supply Officer; on the USS Roanoke as a Disbursement Officer; and finishing his career on the USS Black off the coast of Korea during the Korean War. Dick was honorably discharged in May of 1953. Dick married Jane Valentine on September 11, 1952, and upon his retirement from the Navy, the couple settled in Boulder. Dick took a position as Vice President for his father-in-law, John Valentine, owner of Valentine Hardware store, writing advertising copy for the newspaper, ordering merchandise, and assisting store customers. He was elected President of the Mountain State Hardware & Implement Association, serving in 1969 and 1970. After the sale of Valentine Hardware in 1970, Dick was hired at Public Service Company as a Customer Representative, completing energy audits of customer homes and helping homeowners maximize the energy efficiency of their homes. He retired in 1993. Dick served on multiple boards and in a variety of organizations throughout his life, including the United Way, the Red Cross, Rotary Club of Boulder, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and Westerners. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, giving of his time as an Elder and on various committees throughout the years. He loved to read about Colorado and the American West, listen to big band music, and undertake the detailed work of model ship building. He routinely volunteered his time to give presentations on these subjects to various community groups in the Boulder area. Dick is survived by his sons, Rich (Susan) of Johnstown, and Bruce (Keli) of Greeley, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as a brother, Jim, and three nephews. He joins his wife, Jane, whom he has dearly missed in the year and a half since her passing.