Remembering Aaron J Barer, Sr

Aunt Carol was calling on the cell as I was about to leave work, Wednesday.  We stay in touch, so it was no big deal.  When she asked how I was doing, though, I knew something wasn't right.
Aaron Barer, my cousin Stan's son had died.  It was a shock, but not really a surprise, I had last  seen him at his mother's memorial service last June.  I knew that beyond his despair of losing his Mom, he was not well.
I remember Aaron as a youngster, he was a cute kid with brown hair mixed with some blond streaks from his mother.  He was a happy and articulate young boy.  Since moving to the Seattle area, I would see him at family events.
Aaron's first cousins, Lee and Tod have done a good job profiling Aaron in their posts on Facebook.
Aaron and I talked to each other on social media.  He eventually became a no show at family gatherings.
Aaron Barer, Sr was 42.

Remembering Alta And Aaron Barer

It was exactly one year ago when Alta Barer passed away,  her son Aaron, who would be celebrating his birthday today, passed away last March.  Both are very missed very much. 

The President Meets Some Barers

Cousins Stan, Alta, and Aaron Barer pose with President Obama.  Thank you to Anea for posting this on the "Barer" Facebook page.

So Long To These People We Lost In 2020

 

A partial list of people that we will miss in the new year.  A few who you won't see in 2020 recaps and a few that you will.  Pictured here from top to bottom  

Cousin Aaron Barer

Grandmother-in-Law Lillian Eldridge

Seattle Rock Icon Pat O'Day

Former Spokane News Anchor Beverly Carr

Jeopardy Host Alex Trebek.

Others who we could include are Gale Sayers, Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Bob Robertson, Dawn Wells, Slade Gorton, Phyllis George, My High School Science Teacher Jim Tomlin, and many more.  

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.

A Barer And Son On Front Page Of Seattle Times

My cousin Aaron (left in green and white jacket) was on the front page of today's Seattle Times shaking hands with new Seattle Super Sonics owner Clay Bennett and new CEO Danny Barth. With Aaron is his son
little Aaron. The Sonics were beaten by the Portland Trail Blazers 110-106 at Key Arena.

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.