In Memory

Edward Hill Barker - Class Of 1933

Edward Hill Barker

In Loving Memory of EDWARD HILL BARKER, May 27, 1915 - August 21, 2008

A.B., Political Science, UCLA '37; M.S., Public Administration, USC '45; Ph.D., Economics, USC '63. 

Award winning educatior Ed Barker started his career as coordinator of 22 Barker Brothers Furniture stores, a business founded by his great-grandfather.  In 1955 Ed resigned from Barker Bros to become a professor at USC, where he earned his doctorate in economics.  He taught at USC in its School of Business for 16 years, where he consistently received the outstanding teacher award.  In 1971, Ed became the first dean of the new School of Business and Social Sciences at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Ed was appointed Savings & Loan Commissioner in 1973 by Governor Ronald Reagan.  From 1975 to 1980 Ed was senior vice president of California Federal Savings.  In 1980 Ed became the chairman of the Economics/Business Department at the University of La Verne and continued teaching there until this month.

An avid hiker and fisherman, Ed hiked the rugged High Sierra mountains from childhood into his late 80s.  He spent his 88th birthday in the Sierras, hiking into the wilderness and camping under the stars.  While attending UCLA, he lettered on the varsity tennis team for two years.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Louise Forve Barker, Ed is survived by sons Edward H. Barker, Jr. '63 and Charles F. Barker and daughters Bea Barker '64 and Margie Mach.  He will be missed by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Pasadena Star-News, August 23, 2008