In Memoriam

Charles H. Barker

Charlie Barker
1964 Yale graduation

Charlie Barker died on February 2, 2025. His death was reported to us by his roommate Joe Wishcamper ’64 as follows:

Charlie and I were classmates in high school in Texas. We were roommates for three years in Pierson, together with Mike Sherwood, Nick von Baillou, Clancy Ridley and Bob Blair. At Yale, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta.

Charlie was quiet, studious, and kind. He remained true to his Texas roots and after medical school in New Orleans and service in the military, returned to Texas where he lived for the balance of his professional life.

He returned to New Haven for most of the reunions of the Class of 1964, although dementia prevented him from making the last two reunions. In his final years he moved to a memory-care facility in southern California to be near his daughter.

Below is Charlie's obituary.

Obituary

Houston Chronicle

May 25, 2025

Charlie Barker
from his obituary

Charles "Charlie" Holt Barker, 82, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025, in San Diego, California. Born on July 8, 1942, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Robert Charles Barker and Katherine Holt Barker, Charlie carried his Texas roots with him throughout his life.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and earned his medical degree from Tulane University in 1968. He then served as a medical officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas. Following his service, Charlie settled in Houston, Texas, where he built a meaningful career as a psychiatrist and raised his family. In 2019, he moved to San Diego to be closer to his children and grandchildren during his retirement years.

Charlie was married twice during his life. With his first wife, Rosalie Martino (maiden name), he had three children: Jason, Celenie, and Holly. Later, he and Rita Calabria (maiden name) welcomed his youngest daughter, Karis. Charlie remained a proud and devoted father throughout his life.

He was a gentle and steady presence with a sharp mind and a dry wit-quiet by nature, yet full of depth. Friends and family could always count on him for thoughtful, clear-eyed advice. He loved rugby, exercise, hunting, the mountains, and long bike rides. His dry, quirky sense of humor-ranging from the silly to the irreverent-was a delightful contrast to his quiet demeanor and never failed to catch people off guard in the best way.

Charlie is survived by his son, Jason H. Barker, and his wife, Lucy S. Barker, of Iowa City, Iowa; daughter, Celenie B. Singley, and her husband, Danny B. Singley, of San Diego, California; daughter, Holly C. Barker, and her husband, Kirk Ogrosky, of Washington, D.C.; and daughter, Karis E. Barker, of San Diego, California. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Olivia C. Barker, Jackson S. Singley, Caroline C. Barker, and Hunter C. Singley. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Robert C. Barker Jr. and Edward R. Barker.
A memorial service will be held in Houston, Texas, in June 2025. Charlie will be laid to rest at his family's burial plot in Fort Worth, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in his memory be made to Doctors Without Borders.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Brianna Contreras, who helped care for Charlie in his final years. Her compassion, steadiness, and support-particularly to Celenie-were a tremendous gift to Charlie and a great comfort to all who loved him.