B. Devereux Barker III, 82, of Manchester-by-the Sea, MA, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2021. Born in Boston, Dev spent childhood summers in Marblehead, where he discovered his lifelong love of sailing at the Pleon and Eastern Yacht Clubs. After attending Noble and Greenough School, Dev graduated in 1960 with an A.B. in architectural sciences from Harvard College, where he was affiliated with Leverett House, and then completed a two-year stint in the Navy.
Soon after discharge, Dev found himself aboard America's Cup defense-candidate Easterner, as a winch grinder. While Easterner was not successful, the experience provided his first sustained exposure to larger boats and offshore sailing. In 1963, Dev joined the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) Race Committee, and in 1968 became its Chairman. At the time he had a full-time job as an editor at Yachting magazine, two young children, and barely sufficient experience – in his opinion – to manage the America's Cup in just a year's time. But it was a challenge he relished and became the subject of a book he published later in life, which detailed how the then-31-year-old led the NYYC Race Committee through the controversial decision to disqualify Australia's Gretel II from the second race of the 1970 America's Cup regatta. The incident not only generated significant passions around the world, but also resulted in a fundamental change in the way America's Cup racing was thereafter adjudicated.
Dev remained active in yachting throughout his life. He sailed in ten Bermuda Races and was in Ted Hood's winning crew in 1968. He helped form the America's Cup Hall of Fame, in Bristol, RI and served as Chairman of its Selection Committee for five years. He maintained his membership in the NYYC, and at the time of his passing he was 13th in seniority.
Dev completed Harvard Business School's Program in Management Development and joined a predecessor family insurance business in 1972. That firm merged with Brewer & Lord in 1981, and Dev became partner in 1986. Much of his practice centered on private schools, small colleges and museums.
In his personal life, Dev was committed to supporting his alma maters, serving as his Nobles class secretary for many years, co-chairing some Harvard College Class of 1960 reunions and recently serving as class treasurer. He also provided invaluable leadership to the Triform Camphill Community, a residential community for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Hudson, NY. Dev served as chair of Triform's Board of Directors for six years and up until his passing, most recently shepherding the community through the challenges of the pandemic. His passion for Triform grew out of his love for his daughter Holly, a longtime member of the Triform community. He is remembered by those who worked alongside him at Triform for his calm and steady presence, his ability to build confidence in others, and his deep respect for the unique contributions and perspectives of those who joined him in upholding Triform's mission. Dev will also be remembered for his ability to bring people together and make connections that resulted in lasting and meaningful relationships and friendships.
After retirement, one of his special pleasures was tracking down and having lunch with past friends and associates in New York and Boston. He loved parties and reunions and was the life of both. He cherished his summer weeks on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, where he shared a vacation home with two dear friends and made many more – often by calling those who sailed into the harbor below the property up for drinks and conversation. Dev was the anchor of his family.
While he will be sorely missed, his legacy lives on in those he leaves behind. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jilda Breed Barker, his five children, B. Devereux Barker, IV, Sara Barker Levensohn, William Lake Barker, Holly Gardner Barker and Breton Lamont Barker, and four grandchildren, Philip Gardner Levensohn, Emma Logan Levensohn, Claire Lamont Barker and Miles Devereux Barker.
The memorial service will be private. Dev's family will plan a celebration of his life at a later date. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Donations in Dev's memory may be made to The Triform Camphill Community (www.campbellfuneral.com). To donate: https://www.triform.org/donate
Published, in slightly altered form, in the Boston Globe from June 18 to June 20, 2021.
