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GREENWICH, Conn. – Charles Finch Barber, a former director of the New York Stock Exchange and former chairman of ASARCO Inc., died Sept. 30 at his home in Greenwich. He was 95.
Born Feb. 26, 1917, in Chicago, Barber graduated from Northwestern University, Harvard Law School and Oxford University and was a Rhodes Scholar.
During World War II, he served in the Navy for five years. He was Navy secretary to the Joint War Plans Committee in Washington, D.C. Later, he was aide and flag secretary to Admiral R.A. Spruance, the commander of the Fifth Fleet in the Pacific.
After the war, Barber worked as a lawyer with Covington and Burling. He helped represent Pakistan for the 1960 Indus Treaty with India. He then joined the staff of the U.S. Justice Department as assistant to the solicitor general and argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
His principal business career was in the mining and metals industry. As chairman of ASARCO Inc., Barber expanded copper production and helped finance the Cuajone copper mine in Peru. He received the Copper Man of the Year Award and served as chairman of the American Mining Congress. He was also a member of the Americas Society and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Most recently, Barber was public director for the New York Stock Exchange and chaired its Regulatory Advisory Committee. He also served as a director for several companies and mutual funds. In 2000, he was named Fund Trustee of the Year by Institutional Investor.
While studying as a Rhodes Scholar in Oxford, Barber married Lois Helen LaCroix in 1947. They enjoyed hiking and sailing together. She died three years ago after 62 years of marriage.
Barber is survived by four children, Brad Barber, Ann Barber, Robin Barber and Elizabeth Siegler.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwich. Leo P. Gallagher and Son Funeral Home in Greenwich is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Chicago Area Council, 1218 West Adams, Chicago, IL 60607.
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