Dr. Rev. William P. Barker

Rev. Dr. William Pierson Barker
The Rev. Dr. William Pierson Barker, 85, died at home in South Wellfleet, MA on July 8, 2012. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on February 14, 1927, he was the son of the Rev. Dr. John B. and Blair (Jessop) Barker. He was the husband of Jean (Cotton) Barker; the father of the Rev. Dr. John B. Barker II (and his wife, Sandy) and Ellen (Barker) Brutsch (and her husband, Martin); and the grandfather of seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A Haverford College graduate, Bill was awarded one of the first 18 Ambassadorial Fellowships given by Rotary International to study at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He received his masters and doctorate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and honorary doctorates from Huron College and Muskingum College. He pursued additional graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh and St. Andrews University of Scotland. An ordained Presbyterian minister, Bill founded the Bower Hill Community Church, Pittsburgh, PA in 1950, where he served until he became Director ofContinuing Education at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary from 1968-1972. He was Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church in Allentown, PA from 1972-1991; he taught at Moravian Seminary from 1980-1991; and acted as interim pastor at six churches on Cape Cod from 1991-2003. In Allentown, he co-founded Operation Rice Bowl, an ecumenical sacrificial mealprogram to alleviate world hunger, which is still used by Roman Catholic parishesduring Lent. In recognition of these efforts, he was invited to confer with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. In addition to his pastoral duties, Bill authored thirteen books and edited Tarbells Teachers Guides for 18 years. He was an international speaker/lecturer/preacher at various NATO Chaplains conferences overseas from 1973-1978; the International Maramon Convention in India in 1980, 1983, and 1997. Bill was also the puppeteer and voice for Dr. Bill Platypus and Elsie Jean Platypus on MISTER ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD from 1969-2002 with his close friend, Fred Rogers. An avid bagpiper, he was a member of several pipe bands, most recently The Highland Light Scottish Pipe Band. He was active with Rotary International and sat on numerous boards of directors, among them Cape Cod Council of Churches, American Red Cross and the Homeless Prevention Council. Services: A memorial service will be held on September 8, 2012 at the First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, Main Street, Wellfleet, MA. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mustard Seed, P.O. Box 833, Wellfleet, MA 02667, The First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, or the VNA Hospice of Cape Cod.