Raoul S. Barker ’54

Raoul died Jan. 10, 2024, the day after celebrating the 89th birthday of his wife of 68 years, Betty.

He prepared at Mount Dora High School in Florida, where he was active in football, dramatics, and the glee club. He was an Eagle Scout and helped to create the Ice House Community Theater.

At Princeton, he joined Terrace Club, Whig-Clio, and the Jazz Club, and served as business manager of the Tigertown Five.

Raoul left Princeton in his sophomore year to enter the Air Force Aviation Cadet Training Program. He was commissioned in April 1955 and married Betty Ann St. Louis a week later. After eight years of service, the Air Force sent him to the University of New Hampshire, where he earned a B.S. and M.S. in electrical engineering. During his 22 years in the Air Force, he was engaged in intelligence and international military sales.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1976 he began a second career in defense contracting, eventually retiring as president of Sherikon Space Systems in 1996.

Raoul and Betty enjoyed travel, boating, and golf. He was known for his encyclopedic knowledge, his skill at Scrabble, his quick wit, and his dedicated efforts to preserve the American bald eagle.

Raoul is survived by his wife, Betty Ann; their children William, Beverly, and Paul; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.