In Memoriam: Arthur R. Barron

For nearly two decades, Arthur R. Barron, ’60, contributed his time, talent and treasure to San Diego State in support of veterans and international communications. Barron passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the age of 77.

A driving force in global communications as chair of Time Warner International and president of Paramount Communication’s entertainment group, Barron was founding chair of SDSU’s International Center for Communications.

He and his family were also strong supporters of SDSU’s student veteran population, one of the largest in California.

In 2008, an initial gift of $50,000 from Barron and his son, Robert, inspired more than $2.5 million in support from other donors and foundations for SDSU’s Troops to College program. Troops to College is a statewide initiative of the California Governor's Office, the U.S. military, the California State University system, University of California and community colleges to enhance higher education opportunities for active-duty military and veterans.

Additional support from Barron and his wife, Joan, helped expand the SDSU Veterans Center, and in April 2011, the center was renamed the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center in recognition of the couple’s $1 million gift.

International recognition

Professionally, Barron’s vision shaped international entertainment and communications strategy during a decade of extraordinary change in both industries. As chairman of Time Warner International from 1990-1995, he managed new business ventures, acquisitions and investments for the company.

Both the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Commerce Department turned to him for advice on policy development. He served on State’s Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy and on Commerce’s Advisory Committee on High Definition Television.

In 1987, Barron was awarded France's prestigious Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres medal, the highest honor given by the French Ministry of Culture to recognize an individual's significant contributions to French culture. Other recipients in that year included Sean Connery, Malcolm Forbes, Audrey Hepburn, Gene Kelly, Sophia Loren, Joseph Mankiewicz and Ginger Rogers.

In 1998, SDSU awarded Barron an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

From CPA to chairman

A native of Arnolds Park, Iowa, Barron was born July 12, 1934. He served in the U.S. Navy before receiving a bachelor's degree in accounting from San Diego State University in 1960. He became a California Certified Public Accountant and went to work for Coopers & Lybrand.

After just three years, he moved into the entertainment industry, first as vice president and general sales manager for Desilu Productions, and four years later, as a financial executive for Paramount Pictures Corp.

He spent the next 17 years with Paramount (formerly Gulf+Western Inc.), retiring as president of the company’s entertainment group. A year later, he was coaxed out of retirement by Time Warner International, where he spent five years as chairman.

Civic leader

Art Barron was also active as a volunteer and civic leader. He served on the boards of the Business Council for International Understanding, the Russian American Chamber of Commerce and the Japan-U.S. Telecommunications Research Institute.

He was a member of the advisory committee for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a trustee of the American Museum of the Moving Image and a trustee of the Montana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy.

In tribute

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center at San Diego State University, Attention: Gwen Notestine, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, Ca, 92123-8045.