Raymond L. Barber, project manager in Facilities, Planning & Management since 1992, died unexpectedly Dec. 26, 2011, in Urbana, Ill. He was 68.
Barber, who was LEED AP certified, managed or was involved in many important Danforth Campus building projects during his time at Washington University in St. Louis, including the Psychology Building addition, the Knight Center, Whitaker Hall, South 40 House, Umrath House and the installation of a glass dome on the Anheuser-Busch Hall courtyard.
“During Ray’s tenure, he enjoyed the respect of his co-workers and the architects, engineers and contractors he worked with daily to build the university environment we have today,” says Matthew P. Conlon, manager of capital projects and records.
“Ray had a great sense of humor, and he was well-versed in the details of the contracts he worked with daily,” Conlon says. “Ray knew many sections from memory. He would often use this knowledge to enforce contract provisions ‘at no additional cost to the owner,’ as he would say.”
Barber is described in an employee profile in the December 2011 facilities newsletter as “a true gentleman.” He was affectionately known by the women in the facilities department as “The Rose Man,” as he annually presented facilities female employees with roses to show his appreciation for their work. He also was a dedicated blood donor, platelet donor via pheresis, and an organ donor.
In 2011, Barber received the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers’ Diversity Champions Award, which recognizes individuals for excellence in promoting greater diversity and advocacy in the construction industry.
Before joining WUSTL, Barber owned and managed RBI Construction. He also previously worked at Bunce Corp., Harry McCrary Construction, Maranatha Construction, DynCorp, IDOT and the Corps of Engineers at the Granite City Depot.
Barber, a resident of Creve Coeur, was born April 2, 1943. He earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. After earning a degree, Barber served in the U.S. Army as first lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers during the Vietnam War. Based in Long Bin, he worked at numerous in-theatre Army bases and received an honorable discharge in 1969.
A service was held Dec. 28 at 1st Baptist Church in Hartford, Ill., where Barber had served as a deacon and board moderator and was a lifelong member. Graveside services included full military rites with a 21-gun salute and flag presentation.
Barber is survived by his wife, Sheila Barber; a son, Jeffrey Ray Barber; daughters Brittany Barber and Shannon Barber Bennett; and grandchildren Evin, Elani Rae, Cassidy, Lily Rae and Julius.