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William Kenneth "Kenn" Barker
January 22, 1922 - December 7, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">William Kenneth “Kenn” Barker, S/Sgt. Ret’d RCMP died peacefully on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at the age of 94 years. <br> <br>He was predeceased by his mother Florence Margaret (nee Bird), his father, William Henry, and recently by his younger brother, Donald Henry Barker. <br> <br>He is survived by Reta, his wife of 68 years, daughters Glenda (Mike) Cook and Lynn (Curtis) Cheffins, grandchildren Sarah (Jeremy) Holland and Stuart Cook, sisters-in-law Giselle Barker and June Bradley, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. <br> <br>Kenn was born in Vancouver, B.C. on January 29, 1922 and spent his formative years in Edmonton, AB. In 1942 he joined the RCMP and was posted throughout Saskatchewan, spending 10 years as Dog Master based out of Saskatoon. After postings to Nipawin, Tisdale and Regina, he was again transferred to Saskatoon, serving as Section NCO, and retired in 1971. <br> <br>He then worked as an investigator for the Workers’ Compensation Board for two years before he was persuaded in 1973 to join the newly established Office of the Ombudsman as Assistant to the Ombudsman. He served for a year as Acting Ombudsman in 1976 retiring for the second time in 1987. <br> <br>After his second retirement, Kenn stayed busy, building and landscaping on both his daughters’ acreages where his carpentry, design and mechanical skills were put to very good use. <br> <br>He loved symphonic music and opera and built a substantial record collection with multiple versions of the works of his favourite composer, Johann Strauss II. He enjoyed dancing and many enduring friendships evolved from the Adult Social Dance Club which he established with wife Reta in order to indulge in their mutual love of ballroom dancing. <br> <br>His grandchildren greatly benefitted from his guidance and strive to live by his example. <br> <br>Another important facet of his life was his continuing association with the RCMP. He was very active with the RCMP Veterans, the Friends of the Mounted Police Museum and the Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre. <br> <br>Kenn was an excellent photographer and always had the most up-to-date cameras. The Veterans and the Friends usually relied on Kenn to photograph their events, as did his family. He was always so generous with extra prints. <br> <br>Kenn dearly loved the RCMP Chapel. He spent countless hours researching the history of the Chapel and the cemetery, and treasured the time he devoted to assisting the chaplains. <br> <br>Kenn’s was a life of service; to his family, his country, his community. He was well loved and he will be missed. <br> <br>A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at Regina RCMP Chapel, 6101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with reception to follow at the Officers’ Mess. <br> <br>Flowers are most gratefully declined. Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre, 5907 Dewdney Avenue, Regina SK S4T 0P4. <br> <br>Arrangements entrusted to Regina Funeral Home and Cemetery (306) 789-8850.</div>