Richard James Barber

1932 - 2023

BARBER

RICHARD JAMES BARBER

Richard James Barber of Bethesda, Maryland passed away peacefully on December 19, 2023. Richard was born May 15, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, the second son of Raymond Barber, and Elizabeth McCann Barber. A 1949 graduate of St. Cecilia High school, in Detroit, Richard served in the US Army, and then earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, and Yale, including a J.D. Richard served on the Joint Congressional Economic Committee, was an Associate Professor at MSU, and Yale. He advised the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, and, in 1967, became Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at the US Department of Transportation, and Study Director at the National Academy of Sciences.

Following government service, Richard was a much-in-demand consultant, providing expert testimony before the ICC, the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies, largely regarding antitrust aspects of mergers in the transportation industry.

Childless, Richard and his wife Betty, in 1975, took in their niece Sallie when her father, Richard's older brother, passed away, employing Sallie in Richard's law and economic consulting practice. Sallie, to this day, fondly recalls frequent excursions, learning about Washington, DC through her uncle's learned eyes.

Richard authored books, including, THE AMERICAN CORPORATION, THE POLITICS OF RESEARCH, AND THE AMERICAN RAILROAD, and scores of professional and law review articles. He was a member of the American Economics Association, The National Association of Business Economists, and other professional societies.

Richard's professional success enabled his substantial philanthropic role, in support of Wayne State University, and many other not-for-profit institutions whose educational and relief missions embody the immense generosity Richard himself personified.

His life-long thirst for knowledge was evidenced by his habit of reading daily and widely. Most recently he was set to read a book he purchased on the advice of two teenaged neighboring sisters, on A.I. Richard was an avid fan of all sports, especially his beloved Michigan and Michigan State teams.

Richard's wife, Elizabeth preceded him in death. He is survived by three nieces, Sallie, Cecilia, and Rosemary.

Richard showed all whom his life touched, generosity, purpose, and how to make a positive difference for our fellow humankind. At Richard's request: "I have run the race and now I pray that I will burst forth in God's eternal light, love, and perpetual peace."

A Memorial Mass for Richard will be held at 12 Noon, Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Church of the Little Flower, 5607 Mass. Ave., Bethesda, MD.