Eldon Barrett, 1921-2009

Eldon Barrett (1921-2009) was a nationally known journalist, United Press International (UPI) reporter and news bureau chief. Born in Nampa, Idaho, Barrett’s journalism career began during his teenage years at Olympia High School in Washington State, where he was a writer and editor of the school newspaper. He continued his writing at St. Martin’s College in Lacey, Washington, before enlisting in the Merchant Marine during World War II. After the war, Barrett began working for UPI news agency, initially in Salem, Oregon, and then in Seattle, Washington. In 1980, following retirement from UPI, Barrett and his wife Catherine (Ayer) Barrett moved to Bellingham, Washington, where he edited "Going Strong," a Bellingham Herald column on the topic of senior citizens, and continued to research and publish travel-related writing.

Eldon Barrett covered myriad issues and events during his career in journalism, including presidential visits to Seattle, sporting events, nuclear bomb testing in Alaska and Washington State legislative sessions. He was an avid and skilled photographer, documenting much of his travel and research interests through images as well as writing.

Sources: Eldon Barrett Papers and obituary, published 2009.

From the guide to the Eldon Barrett Papers, 1849-2010, 1935-2010, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)