Richard Dick John Barber

Richard John Barber, 78, of Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away on May 20, 2014. He was born in Oakland, California and raised in Darrington, Washington until his early teens when he and his siblings moved to Honolulu, Hawaii with their mother.

Richard, known as "Dick" to his friends and family, graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954. He worked throughout his schooling in coffee shops and restaurants. In 1955, Dick joined the Air Force and worked in intelligence while stationed in Germany. After four years in the Air Force, he returned to Hawaii, to continue his education at the University of Hawaii. He received his Masters in Political Science and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He met Ora Mae Lee in 1965 at the University and married in 1966.

He worked at the Pacific Telecommunications Council until his retirement in 1999, serving as the Executive Director of the non-profit agency. He was also active at the University of Hawaii in the Communications Department and at the East West Center.

Dick enjoyed traveling, reading, telling jokes and puns, gardening, woodworking, and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He believed in higher education and encouraged all those around him to never stop learning. He is survived by his wife Ora Mae Barber, son Robert Barber (wife Mariko), daughter Kanara (husband Rick Woodford), daughter Sara Barber (husband James Redden), daughter Lisa (husband Tim Foxen), brother Patrick Barber, and sister Dorothy Stewart. He has four grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Memorial for Dick will be held on Thursday June 26, 2014 at Borthwick Mortuary - Mauka Chapel at 10am. Aloha attire.