Richard Dale Barker ’54

Richard Dale Barker ’54 passed away on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on February 27. Dick was a brother in Sigma Alpha Epsilon, was a member of the rifle team, served on the Interfraternity Treasurer Council, and majored in math. His loyalty and service to the College and his class were legendary, and he received the College’s Alumni Award and the Class of 1954 Award. After Dartmouth Dick married Barbara Joan Cree, joined the Army, and was posted at the White Sands Proving Ground. After his service, Dick began a business career at IBM and Itek. He went on to earn an M.B.A. at Suffolk University and took administrative leadership roles at Andover Institute of Business, Grahm Junior College, and Bryant & Stratton Business School. From 1976 until his retirement in 1997 Dick was the business administrator of the Wakefield (Massachusetts) Public Schools. Dick and Barbara retired to West Dennis on Cape Cod in 1997 and once again became leaders. They delivered for Meals on Wheels and were active with the South Yarmouth Methodist Church, where Dick chaired the building committee that planned and financed the steeple and building restoration. He was also involved in the formation, design, and planning of West Dennis’ Bass River Park and was the treasurer of the Dennis Senior Center. Dick was always connected to Dartmouth and the class, serving as class president, webmaster, newsletter editor, and admissions volunteer. Dick was predeceased by Barbara. He is survived by sons Bill, Tom, and John and their wives, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.