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 Vincent M. Barnett Jr.
February 11, 2006
Vincent M. Barnett Jr., 92, of 1611 Cold Spring Road, professor emeritus at Williams College and former president of Colgate University, died Saturday at home.
Born in Whittier, Calif., on Sept. 1, 1913, son of Vincent MacDowell Barnett and Ethel Roper Barnett, he graduated from University of California, Los Angeles, in 1935 and earned his doctorate in 1938 at Harvard University, where he taught from 1937 to 1939.
Barnett came to Williams in 1939, served as president of Colgate from 1963 to 1969, then returned to Williams until retiring in 1984.
He served many years as chairman of Williams College's political science department and helped found Williams' program in political economy. He also helped found the college's Center for Development Economics, of which he also served as the first chairman.
"Vince Barnett has left a remarkable legacy, not just at Williams but around the world," said Williams President Morton Owen Schapiro.
"Many students had the privilege of learning directly from this great teacher and mentor. Many more benefited from his vision in helping to devise the Program in Political Economy and Center for Development Economics, where they acquired analytical skills they went on to apply in policy making positions worldwide."
As president of Colgate, Barnett continued to teach a course on "The Politics of Economic Development" while overseeing a major fund-raising campaign, the construction of five buildings and the decision for Colgate to admit women.
He also served the U.S.government in several capacities. During World War II, he worked for the Office of Price Administration and the War Production Board. From 1948-50, he served with the Economic Cooperation Administration Mission in Italy.
He was chief of economic affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Rome from 1951-52 and the embassy's counselor for economic affairs from 1958-60. In 1960, the U.S. State Department awarded him its Superior Service Medal.
His experience overseas also included service as chief of a Harvard University Development Team to the Prime Minister's Office in Malaysia in 1971-72. He consulted with the U.S. Agency for International Development regarding several countries, including Egypt in 1979. He was an advisor to Egypt's Ministry of the Economy in 1976-77.
He edited the book "The Representation of the United States Abroad" (1956, revised 1965). His articles appeared in numerous law journals. He served as a trustee of The Brookings Institution, Colgate University, Cazenovia College and Colgate-Rochester Divinity School.
He was awarded honorary degrees by six colleges and universities, including Williams and Colgate.
In addition to his professional commitments, he volunteered in the local community, including as moderator of the Town of Williamstown and president of the Williamstown Community Chest.
He loved languages, especially Italian, and loved to sing. He and his wife, the former Barbara Brown of Baldwinsville, N.Y, enjoyed square dancing and often organized square dances around town. He also enjoyed gardening, especially in retirement.
Besides his wife, whom he married on June 24, 1939, he leaves two sons, Peter M. Barnett and Stephen V. Barnett, both of Monson; three daughters, Deborah B. Venman of Middlebury, Vt., Mary J. Barnett of Starksboro, Vt., and Wendy B. Barnett-Mulligan of Chatham, N.Y.; 14 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
FUNERAL NOTICE -- A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2 p. m. in Chapin Hall on the Williams campus. A reception will be held at the Faculty House from 4 to 7 p. m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Williamstown Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, the Williamstown Community Chest or the VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire through FLYNN AND DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA FUNERAL HOMES, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01267.
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