Walter Barry Jr. ’55

Walt died Sept. 16, 2021, surrounded by family at home in Wayzata, Minn. Walt lived a robust life, divided in his later years between homes in Wayzata, said by some to be the nicest town in Minnesota, and the golfing haven of Pebble Beach, Calif. 

Walt was born April 24, 1933, in Minneapolis. He attended the Blake School and Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio, where he was active in football, hockey, track, and publications. At Princeton he joined Ivy Club, majored in English, won a letter in freshman crew, and played IAA dorm hockey and club football, hockey, and baseball. Senior year he roomed with Joe Bacheller, Don Brigham, Jim Hurlock, and John Maloney. After Princeton he served two years in the Army and retired as a captain in the Reserves.

He followed in his father’s footsteps at General Mills, starting in sales on the West Coast, where he met and married his wife, Jane. Retiring as executive vice president after 28 years, he started with friends a second career of buying, operating, and sometimes reselling small Minnesota companies.

Walt is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jane; sons Walter III ’89, Stewart ’95, and Randall; and nine grandchildren.