R.W. "Bill" Barker

Richard William (RW/Bill) Barker died at his home in Midland on June 6, 2025, following recurring hospitalizations for pneumonia. A man of endless curiosity and unique insight, he was greatly loved by his warmly inclusive extended family and by friends all over the world who appreciated his intellect, visionary energy, deeply held principles and generosity of spirit. Bill left a powerful impression on all who met him. A born story-teller, we loved the tales of his early days on a ranch in Montana and his far-flung business adventures. We benefited from his empowering wisdom and steadfast belief in those around him to do well, to reach our potential and to make the world a better place. Fair, open-minded and a believer in talent and equity, Bill was especially supportive of women, both professionally and personally, thus endearing himself to a legion of accomplished individuals.
Bill was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on September 27, 1930 to the late Richard William Barker and Grace Strite Barker of Mount Vernon, Iowa. He attended elementary school in Mount Vernon and, after several years of family moves (and attending nine different schools), graduated from high school in State College, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. in Commerce and Finance (1951) then went on to receive a J.D. from the University of Michigan School of Law (1954) and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School (1956), where he was named a first year Baker Scholar, the highest academic distinction.
While in law school, Bill married the late Elaine Packard Finegan. Later, in 1972, Bill met Nancy LePard Cline, and in a truly great love story, became inseparable partner in all of life's endeavors. They married and formed a notably blended family of nine children to whom Bill was a wonderful father. The family has been his prime personal interest and he was an enduring source of both practical advice and supportive encouragement. An avid photographer himself, he enjoyed the digital reports as children, grandchildren and great grands developed into a lively, adventuresome new generation. In addition, as a believer in "always room for one more", from 1981 to 2017 Bill and Nancy welcomed one or more Northwood international students to live with them, resulting in a much-loved extended family around the world.
He was a member of the Legal Department of The Dow Chemical Company from 1956 to 1993, retiring as Associate General Counsel. After retirement from Dow, he became a member of the Midland law firm Riecker, Van Dam, Barker and Black (from 1993 until his retirement in 2002). He had resided in Midland since 1956.
Bill worked with enthusiasm in every area of law handled by the Dow Legal Department, starting with real estate as a young lawyer and concentrating on corporate law, acquisition and disposition of businesses, borrowing and lending money, corporate governance, securities law, including making Dow's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He was instrumental in Dow Chemical becoming the first American industrial company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (1973). He served as a director of a number of Dow subsidiaries and other corporations in which Dow was a partial owner. After his initial legal and economic focus with Dow, Bill took on many interesting special projects for the company. From 1979 on, most of these were overseas, including a petrochemical joint venture in Saudi Arabia and financing, construction and for nine years the North Sea operation of the Sovereign Explorer, then the world's largest deep sea drilling rig. He was a founder of Dow Chemical Financial Corporation in 1959, which invested in Dow suppliers and customers, and was on its Board of Directors for more than twenty years. He was a founding member in the early 1970s of Dow's Investment Policy Committee, which supervised the investments of Dow's retirement programs, and the Litigation Review Committee, which supervised Dow's extensive litigation, and was a member of both until his retirement in 1993.
Locally, Bill was active in the community, serving on the Bullock Creek School Board, as an active member of the Midland Bar, and involved in local and state politics. He was a supporter of the arts and not-for-profit agencies, and a lover of midcentury modern architecture. He was instrumental in enabling the fledgling Northwood Institute's move to Midland in 1961-62 and expedited its early growth. Northwood awarded him the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 1979 and he has maintained a close interest in what is now Northwood University
In 1963 he was one of the principal founders of Midland Economic Development Corporation, now Midland Tomorrow, and he has been affiliated with the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce ever since. In 1963 the Midland Jaycees named him as Midland's Young Man of the Year. He was a member of the Midland Country Club, Midland County Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan and American Bar Association.
Bill was a true citizen of the world, as comfortable with colleagues and friends from cultures around the world as with his fellow residents of Midland. He listened carefully and spoke with purpose and profound integrity. He lived his life fully and creatively, an example to love deeply, support and have faith in others who are different from us. He would try any food he encountered, take trips to absorb new ideas and appreciate beauty, share wisdom and advise everyone to enjoy life. He found peace and comfort living in the family's beautiful historic home in its historic setting. And he never forgot to feed the chipmunks (his annual summer pals!)
Bill was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Ann Barker Bauchspies of Maryland, and his treasured mother-in-law, Mary Lepard. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy, and devoted children: Georgia Cline (Dr. Chris) Harker, Portland, Oregon, Richard (Cindy) Barker, Jackson, Michigan, Mark (Linda) Cline, Sierra Vista, Arizona, Melissa Cline (John) VanArsdel, Belmont, California, Dr. John (Annimarie) Cline, Brookfield, Wisconsin, Dr. Helen Barker Garrett (Margaret Kimble), Seattle, Washington, Jim Barker, Midland, Michigan, Wiley (Elizabeth) Barker of Chandler, Arizona, Dan Barker, Columbia, Maryland and daughter-in-law, Sienna Bach, Elkridge, Maryland. Bill had 13 grandchildren: Ayla Harker, Graham Harker, Brandon Barker, Shannon Siedlik, Alisha Dunn, Jesika Bailie, Laura VanArsdel, Zane VanArsdel, Dylan Garrett, Melissa Garrett, Anthony Barker, Dayton Barker, Dana Barker, and several pretty adorable great-grandchildren. Bill also had a special relationship with his extended family, which includes his sister-in-law, Peggy Budd of Austin, Texas, nieces, nephews, special cousins. He had many especially dear friends.
A gathering time to celebrate Bill's life will be Friday, June 27, 2025 at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street in Midland. Visitation will be from 4 – 6 pm, with time from 6 – 7 pm for a short program to share stories and memories. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the University of Michigan Law School or the Harvard Business School sent c/o Ware Smith Woolever funeral home for proper distribution.
All of us at Ware Smith Woolever are honored the Barker family has entrusted us with the care of their loved one.