Richard Barker

1935 - 2025

Richard Barker
09/28/1935 - 05/04/2025
Richard Canfield Barker, 89, a respected investment executive, Navy veteran, and lifelong advocate for education, philanthropy, and the arts, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025 in San Francisco.
Born in New York City on September 28, 1935, Richard (Dick) was the middle of three sons of Anne and W. Delmar Barker, who met while working at Bloomingdale's. The family later settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where Richard graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1953.
He went on to attend Brown University, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Louis Baker. At Brown, he met his first wife, Abbie Mustermann. Both graduated in 1957. Richard earned a degree in American Civilization and later attended the University of Connecticut School of Business. In 2009, Brown University awarded him an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters for his distinguished service and leadership.
With Abbie, Richard had two children: Anne, born in 1958, and Derek, born in 1959.
In 1958, Richard joined the U.S. Navy at the Naval Air Base in Pensacola, Florida, and was commissioned as a flight navigator. After further communications training on Saint Simons Island, Georgia, he was based at Quonsett Point, Rhode Island. During his active service, he served on several aircraft carriers, including the USS Essex and the USS Valley Forge. In 1961, having moved to reserve military service, he began a distinguished career in finance. He held early roles at Hartford National Bank, Putnam, Coffin & Burr, and Connecticut General. After a year with Creative Capital Corporation in California, he joined S&P InterCapital in New York. In 1971, following his separation from Abbie, whom he divorced in 1973, he returned to California, where he spent the remainder of his career at the Capital Group Companies. He retired in 2005 as Vice Chairman and Director of Capital Group International, Inc., as well as Chairman of Capital International Ltd. and the Guardian Trust Company.
Dick met his second wife, Jennifer Peak, through mutual friends, and they were married in 1977. The couple welcomed daughters, Jessica in 1981 and Rebecca in 1983, raising the girls in Belvedere, California.
A passionate and engaged alumnus, Dick served multiple terms on Brown University's Corporation Board of Trustees (1994–1999, 2000–2006, and 2009–2011). He contributed to several key committees, including Budget & Finance, Academic Affairs, and Campus Life, and later served on the Emeriti Executive Committee. He was also very involved in Financial Aid and the Sports Foundation. In recognition of his leadership and commitment to the university, he received the Elwood "Woody" Leonard Jr. '51 Distinguished Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to fundraising at Brown.
A devoted supporter of the arts and a passionate patron of Brown University athletics, he was known for his generosity, encouragement, and deep belief in others--leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him. As Chairman of the San Francisco Ballet Board of Trustees, Dick played a key role in transforming the company into a world-class institution, even helping bring it to Jackson Hole one memorable summer. His influence extended beyond ballet; he also served as a trustee for the BASIC Fund, the California Film Institute, the Marin General Hospital Foundation, the Naval War College Foundation, and the Branson School Board of Trustees from 1995 to 2001, including four years as Chair. He was one of those rare souls who truly loved to give, driven by the positive impact he could make on people and institutions.
When not giving back, Dick could often be found playing tennis or in Sun Valley, Idaho- enjoying ranch life, skiing, or fly fishing-always embracing life with the same passion he brought to everything he did.
His legacy is one of meaningful generosity, leadership, and unwavering dedication. Dick consistently made a difference in so many lives-and that, above all, is how he will be remembered.
Dick is survived by his three daughters, Anne, Jessica, and Rebecca, as well as his grandchildren, Declan (10), Maisie (7), and Hazel (4). He is predeceased by his son, Derek.
A service in honor of Dick's life will be held at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral in late September.
Gifts in memory of Dick may be made to: The BASIC Fund or The Nature Conservancy in Hailey, Idaho.