Barton calls it a career

COEUR d'ALENE - Rick Barton pretty much goofed off all day Friday, spending most of it chatting with old friends. And why not - after 44 years working for one banking company, it was his last day on the job, and dozens stopped by the US Bank branch at Fourth and Sherman to wish him well.

It wasn't just his career that led him to become the regional president of the bank, it was his

involvement with the community that was noted.

"I look at Rick as a mentor," said Caryl Johnston, director of United Way of Kootenai County. "He is a humble man and an effective leader. He has a way of being of service, of being engaged and tying everything together.

"If I need to sit down and talk to somebody, it's him. He is kind of like a father figure."

Barton, who started with what was Idaho 1st Bank and watched it evolve through several name changes and owners, has been involved with a long list of community activities ranging from chamber of commerce roles, a trustee of North Idaho College, and service clubs including Kiwanis and Rotary.

He had to think hard before naming which he considered the most satisfying, and United Way was among them. He was president of the organization for two years and on the board for another six years.

"It is a great organization," he said. "It is doing a great job in the community, helping more than 30 agencies. It is not just money, it is education, providing information to help nonprofits do a better job. It is one organization that touches a whole variety of lives."

Barton said he is also happy to have had a hand in helping the Kroc Center go from dream to reality.

"It is a significant facility that the community can enjoy," he said, and he was happy in "seeing it come to fruition, and the acceptance by the community."

Barton, who served on the advisory board and was chairman of the financial committee, was more than a little help in that project, said Maj. John Chamness, Kroc Center executive director.

"His expertise has been an absolute blessing for us," Chamness said.

Barton's career with the bank started in Lewiston, and led him to Buhl, Moscow, Boise, Salt Lake City and starting the branch in Post Falls in 1974 before returning finally to Coeur d'Alene in 2001. There have been hard times, including the time in the 1980s when the prime interest rate was above 20 percent.

"There have been a lot of economic swings, but the most recent was by far the worst," he said.

True to the reputation he earned over the years as a genuinely nice person, he said one of the hardest parts of his job was terminating employees.

Susan DuBois, district manager for US Bank, said Barton has been an "incredible leader."

"He sets the tone and has helped build our bank to be as successful as it is."

He will be irreplaceable, she said.

"He has always been a great representative for this bank in 20 counties," said Sandy Patano, who worked alongside Barton in Rotary and the Kroc project. "The bank was generous to donate to nonprofits, and that was due to Rick's leadership. He is a true professional and a sincere man. The bonus is he is still involved with the community."

Formerly with Barton at Idaho 1st and now at Panhandle State Bank, among those who stopped by to wish Barton well was Ron Ouren.

"He has been a good community banker and just as good a person," Ouren said. "They don't come any finer. He will certainly be missed."

Barton, 66, said he had mixed emotions about retiring.

"I had a great career," he said. "It was a great ride. The hardest part of retiring is the reality that I will have the same connections to people, but a different relationship."

Among his top priorities now will be seeing more of his 9-month-old granddaughter.

"Grampie's going to spend time with Lucia," he said.