Robert L. Barker was a North Carolina State Senator representing Wake, Harnett and Lee Counties. Barker was born in Harnett County and grew up in Raleigh, attending Millbrook High School. He attended and North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...

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Barker served as chair of the Senate Committee on Insurance and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources in the North Carolina General Assembly. He also co-chaired the House-Senate Joint Committee on Medical Malpractice during the malpractice issues of the 1970s. Senator Barker also participated in the planning the state government complex in downtown Raleigh.

Barker played a role in the establishment of a medical school at East Carolina University

East Carolina University

East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...

and was active in the Boys and Club of Raleigh. Barker was a real estate appraiser by trade and owned Bob Barker & Associates Inc.