Stan Barer Dies

 We lost Stan Monday night.  He was 82.   He had been fighting cancer for well over a decade, seemingly winning every battle.  The last couple years were very tough as he lost his wife, Alta to cancer in 2019 and son, Aaron in 2020.

Stan was my cousin, my grandfather and his father were brothers.  Stan was brother to Burl and Jan.  We all grew up in Walla Walla.  Stan attended Green Park School and graduated from Walla Walla High School (Wa-Hi).

Stan left Walla Walla to go to the University of Washington.  After finishing law school, he joined the staff of Senator Warren Magnuson.  After playing a big part in writing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he would go on to become the senator's administrative assistant.  

Over lunch many years ago, Stan told me how he felt there was underlying discrimination growing up as he felt that many clubs had not picked him for membership because of his Jewish faith.  That apparently galvanized his commitment to civil rights. 

Stan became a Washington insider.  He was in the "kitchen cabinet" of several presidents.  He played a part in an historic trade deal with China.  He was written up in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin as an "expert on export".

Stan would go on to practice law in Seattle for several years in a huge firm known as Garvey, Shubert, And Barer.  He would also became part of the ownership group of Saltchuk Resources, which ran several local shipping companies including Totem Ocean Trailer Express and Foss 

With his wife, Alta, Stan became an active donor in the arts community, as well as many charity causes.  His donation to the University Of Washington allowed more students from around the world to attend. 

Stan also served on the University Of Washington Board Of Regents.  

Just last September, it was announced that Stan had won the Gates Volunteer Service Award.  

It seems silly, but one of my favorite memories of Stan was when we were going out for dinner with his mom, my Aunt Dorothy.  Stan and Alta had come to meet my then fiance, now my wife.  Stan and I were sitting on the couch dipping crackers into chopped liver at my aunt's apartment. On a more serious note, he was a rock of comfort in the deaths of both of my parents.  

A private service will be held this week with Stan's immediate family.  A celebration of life for Stan's large circle of family and friends will be announced at a later date

Stan will really be missed.

Stanley Barer: Magnuson Bumble Bee

Warren Magnuson was an integral part of Washington history serving in the United States Senate from 1945 until he was defeated in the Reagan Landslide of 1980. In a book written about Magnuson, Author Shelby Skates paid tribute to my Cousin Stan Barer , one of Maguson's "Bumble Bees" (a name, said to be coined by Maguson opponent John Erlichman referring to the Senator's young staff). Stan later would serve as Senator Magnuson's administrative assistant.

June 1963: the commencement of a career for Stan Barer, just graduated from the University of Washington Law School and bound for the staff of Senator Warren Magnuson; the start of a hot summer of racial strife for the nation. Barer the first of Professor Ralph Johnson's star pupils to be propelled from the law school to Maggie's employ--was on the way to "the other Washington...Barer the high spirited son of a Russian immigrant turned Walla Walla businessman, had no inkling that his destiny and the black revolution would quickly become intertwined.

The book which was published in 1997, goes on to illustrate Stan's role in writing legislation which would help change the nation's course in the battle for civil rights.

Cousin Stan And Alta Barer Contribute To University Of Washingon Law School

Nearly three years after Cousin Stan Barer's death, and five years after wife, Alta's passing.  The couple is making news again.

Reports are that the couple's estate has endowed the University of Washington one of its largest contributions ever.  The amount contributed to its law school reported to be 45 million dollars. 

In 2008, Stan and Alta made news 16 years ago, with a donation to the law school to start the Barer Institute for Law and Global Human Services. This program has opened law school up to deserving students, many in undeveloped countries.  

Stan Barer was an attorney, political consultant, Senate administrative assistant, shipping executive and community philanthropist.  Alta, was a fellow community activist and philanthropist. 

Clearly, the contributions that the couple have made to the area and around the world will bring benefits for generations to come. 

New Wine Honor's Stan Barer Memory

Seattle area restauranteur Russell Lowell has announced a new wine label in honor of his fishing buddy and my cousin, Stan Barer.  In the above article by feature writer Patti Payne in the Puget Sound Business Journal, Lowell announced the creation of "The Purple Barer".  The wine brand was created from Cabernet Sauvignon from Cooper Wine Company.

The Purple Barer is only available at Lowell's Bothell restaurant and sells for $120. 
 

Stan Barer Recognized By The Times

At the end of every year, The Seattle Times does a review of deaths of celebrities, local leaders, and other newsmakers during that year. 

I was pleasantly surprised and honored to see that my cousin Stan Barer made the list.

Stan is noted for his contributions in writing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when he worked on the staff of Senator Warren Magnuson and also for his contributions to helping reopen trade between the US and China.

Stan passed away on December 13th after a long battle with cancer.

Stan Barer Awarded In Beijing

Cousin Stan Barer was in Beijing, China at the beginning of this month to receive the Award of Achievement from the Western Returned Scholars Association Entrepreneur Alliance for his contribution to US-China relations in the past 40 years.In 1979, Stan successfully negotiated the resumption of shipping services between the US and China.
The Western Returned Scholars Association consists of Chinese scholars and researchers who have studied abroad.   It is affiliated with the Chinese government.
We wish to Congratulate Stan on this amazing honor.

Cousin Alta Will Be Missed

Alta Barer died on Wednesday, May 8th. She married  my cousin Stan  in the early 70s.  She was a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines for more than 20 years.

Stan and Alta's contributions to the Seattle area are indeed legend.  If attending a music event or a play, it's no surprise to see Stan and Alta Barer on the list of donors.   In 1996, Stan and Alta put on a political fund raising event featuring Hilary Clinton. In 2008, they made a contribution to the University Of Washington Law School to help make it possible for students in under developed countries to attend that institution.

Alta's contributions to the community are well stated in this beautiful article by Patti Payne in the Puget Sound Business Journal, click here, but this, above all, is a deeply personal loss.  Alta and Stan were often present at family gatherings.  As a teenager, I was struck by her beauty and poise.

In this picture, Stan and Alta,  and grandson Aaron, Jr. pose with President Obama.  A memorial service for Alta J. Barer  will be announced at a later date.  Contributions may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Resource Center.

Celebrating The Life Of Stan Barer

We celebrated the life of cousin Stan Barer, yesterday.  Stan passed away last December.  The speakers included Senator Maria Cantwell

Former Massachusetts senator and Former secretary of state John Kerry sent a video message

Seattle Times Archives--1969 Stan Barer Named Magnuson Administrative Assistant

 

First, an apology for the blurry news print.  As previously mentioned, our family has played a significant part in Seattle and Washington history.  I have been combing through the Seattle Times  archives, which are less than transferable.  Perhaps, by design. 

  Stan Barer, in 1969 was named Administrative Assistant for Washington Senator Warren Magnuson.  

Stan had previously had experience on the senators staff and was mentioned prominently in Shelby Scates Magnuson biography. 

Dave and Dora Barer's 50th Wedding Anniversary Video

Cousin Stan Barer is the host  in this trip down memory lane,  My Grandfather Barer's brother David and his wife celebrated 50 years together.  Uncle Dave, passed away a few weeks later.  To the right of Stan, you can see my Grandmother Barer.

Stan Barer Feature Found

On February 22nd, 1987, The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin ran a feature on natives of the town that succeeded on the regional and national level.  My cousin Stan Barer was featured in this article which was in a Sunday paper supplement.   Amongst those featured were Charles Luce, who would run Con-Ed, Ralph Coordiner, who would become president of General Electric, and William O. Douglas, who sat on the Supreme Court.  Also Adam West, perhaps Walla Walla's most famous native.  All in all, not bad company.

Stan Barer Was Sworn In By Supreme Court Justice

 I just learned this today (May 29th, 2026).  My cousin Stan was sworn in to the bar by legendary Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. This is from an article in the Union-Bulletin archives, sometime in the early 1960s. 

 Douglas was a graduate of Whitman College in Walla Walla, while Stan graduated from Walla Walla High School before going on to the University Of Washington.  Steve posted this in the Barer Family Group on Facebook. Stan, himself, would have an amazing career in Politics, law, and business.

Stan Barer On Front Page Of Seattle Times

Cousin Stan Barer (left with side to camera), who is on the University Of Washington Board Of Regents, is shown here greeting interim UW President Phyllis Wise.

Remembering Cousin Stan Barer

 Stan Barer died one year ago today.  You can read a little about his legacy by clicking here.

Stan Barer Says Sonic-Storm Deal Made in Good Faith

The outgoing group of Sonics owners, lead by Howard Schultz, and the Oklahoma group that has purchased the franchise have been taking an unbelievable barrage of hits from all fronts, sports fans, opponents of public sports financing and community leaders. In a letter to the editor in the sports section of today's Seattle Times, investor Stan Barer responded,
"The buying group was chosen among many suitors because of their good-faith, legal commitment to try to retain the Sonics in the Seattle area so our community could continue the cultural enhancement and value that sports have always given.
The reception that has been given the new owners as well as the selling group has been rife with a "you are all liars" reaction by the sports reporters... "
The letter also outlined the selling group's frustration with city officials.

Barer's Celebrate Anniversary

The Purple Barer is a special wine created Seattle area Restauranteur Russell Lowell to honor my cousin Stan Barer, who passed away in December of 2021.  

Stan and Russell were longtime fishing buddies 

The wine brand is only available for purchase at Russell's Restaurant and Loft, owned by Lowell.

Deb and I celebrated our 28th anniversary last night (Saturday, July 8th, 2023) at the Bothell Restaurant, where we sampled the wine, which was excellent and purchased a bottle, shown above.

Alta Barer Honored At Fairmont

Former KING 5 TV anchor  and Stan Barer family friend Jean Enersen, pictured above, was emcee at a beautiful tribute to my late cousin, Alta Barer.  Alta, who was married to my cousin Stan, passed away last month after a long, but quiet, battle with cancer.
The service began with an incredible singing performance by the Puget Sound Company. Speakers included, University Of Washington President Ana Marie Cauce, Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, Former Governor and later US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, and Changdong Xu, chairman of the WRSEA.
Both my brothers and their wives were among the guests.  Also attending were my cousin Lee Goldberg and his sister, Karen Dinino, from Los Angeles.
The Tribute took place at the Fairmont in Downtown Seattle.

UB Columnist Drops Names Of Celebrities With Walla Walla Ties

 A big thank you to retired Union-Bulletin columnist Annie Charnley Eveland for somehow working me, the blog, and my Old Walla Walla Radio Group facebook page along with famous Walla Wallans and Whitman graduates like Adam West and Kirby Grant (pictured in character, above), who played the 1950s action TV character, Sky King into her latest column. 

Also mentioned in the article was Patrick Page, who is married to the effervescent TV host, Paige Davis, A Team TV star, Dirk Benedict and some cousins that I admire, Burl Barer, Stan Barer, Jan Barer Curran, Lee Goldberg, and Tod Goldberg.  

Lee and Tod did not grow up in Walla Walla but were annual summer visitors in their childhood. 

You can the article by clicking here.

UW Law School To Receive A Generous Contribution

The Puget Sound Business Journal Reports that the University Of Washington Law School has received a generous pledge from Stan and Alta Barer. The money will be used to establish the Barer Institute Of Law And Global Human Services.
University Of Washington President Mark Emmert said
"This gift ensures that the UW will continue to produce leaders in the international human rights arena and provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and, most importantly, global legal education. We're very grateful to Stan and Alta for their vision and generosity."
Stan is the chairman of the University Of Washington Board Of Regents. A Walla Walla High School graduate, he is, I believe, the 4th of 7 members of the Barer family to attend the University Of Washington.

Stan Barer's Bar Mitzvah

From Burl's "youtube" page, this video features both sets of my grandparents, My Uncle Dave and Aunt Dorothy (Stan and Burl's parents) my Mom and Dad  before they were a couple, my Uncle Phil and Uncle Arny, Cousins Burl, Stan, and Jan and many old family friends who are no longer with us.  Filmed in 1952 at the old Walla Walla shul on Rose and Tucannon Streets, it was torn down in the early 1970s for an Elks Lodge.  The shul was moved to it's present site on Alder and Roosevelt.