Edward Gilman Barker died peacefully at home on Sept. 11, 2011.
Born in Worcester, MA on Feb. 24, 1922, he attended Worcester schools and graduated from Wesleyan College in 3 years with a chemistry degree. At the start of WWII, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps training as a pilot, and married Louise Ivins Hunn, who was serving as a WAVE. After the war he attended Iowa State College, receiving an Architectural Engineering degree. Moving to Winchester, MA in 1950, he joined Charles T Main and helped design the commuter rail overpass in Winchester center, and parts of Rte 128 and Storrow Drive. He left to start Metric Construction, which he operated for 10 years building private homes. He began teaching at Wentworth College in 1968, specializing in structural engineering. A lively instructor, after throwing a book at a student sleeping during a lecture, his students affectionately presented him with a pitching award, dedicated to “The Little Man with the Big Arm.” He obtained a master’s degree in Urban Development at Northeastern University, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Wentworth College.
A man of many interests, he kept rooftop beehives, bought property in Maine to develop blue mussel aqua-culture, worked passionately to save the American Chestnut tree, belonged to MENSA, and built one of the first super-insulated houses in Maine. Generous with charities and his time, he was active in the peace movement and with World Federalists. A town meeting member for many years, he worked on the Solid Waste Committee and getting fluoride into the town water. He was active in the Unitarian Church and taught Sunday school for 10 years.
After retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively, including many bicycle trips to Europe, taking each grandchild in turn with them.
A father of 7, grandfather of 15 and great-grandfather of 8, Edward leaves Louise, his wife of 68 years, and his children, Hope, Townsend, Faith, Patience, Prudence and Mark. He was pre-deceased by his son Martin.
A Memorial Service will held on Sunday, September 25th @ 1:30PM in the Winchester Unitarian Church, 478 Main St. Relatives and friends kindly invited.