Donald Lewis Barber

Don was born to Lewis and Shirley Barber on May 29, 1931 in Redlands, California and spent the first 18 years of his life in Redlands, graduating from Redlands High in 1949.

Don spent the summer of ’49 as a firefighter in the San Bernardino National Forest after which he enrolled in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at Oregon State University (OSU) where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

Upon graduation, Don was commissioned as ensign USN and reported aboard the attack transport USS Okanogan. After a year onboard, Don returned to Portland to marry his college squeeze, Janet Sande. The couple spent the next six months in New London, Connecticut while Don attended Submarine School. He subsequently served on two San Diego-based submarines, USS Bream and USS Caiman.

Don joined IBM in 1957 and spent his entire business career in high tech including as founder and president of Northwest Data Systems and as vice president of information systems for both Standard Insurance and Liberty Northwest Insurance.

Daughters Laura and Carolyn joined the family in the 1960s. Don was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed trout fishing in the high lakes on the Warm Springs Reservation and sailing with the family on the Columbia river and offshore in his Cal Cruising 35.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Janet, and survived by a brother, Roger, daughters Laura and Carolyn, grandchildren Sophia Miller and Andrew Bryan, and one English Setter.

At his request, no service will be held.

Contributions may be made to the Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org or to REACH www.etsREACH.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.finleysunsethills.com for the Barber family.