Harry L. Barrett Jr., at 86; was a professor and executive

Harry Livingstone Barrett Jr. was a man in perpetual motion who balanced careers as a professor and business executive while making time for family, local theater, and the occasional joyride in his sporty black convertible.

"He was a living model of energy and very inspirational in that way," said Sally Barrett-Page of Boulder, Colo., one of his daughters. "He loved to be constantly in motion."

Mr. Barrett was a professor of finance at Babson College for 18 years while working with several companies.

Mr. Barrett died July 8 of complications from diabetes in the Wingate at Sudbury nursing home. He was 86.

"He always went for what he wanted and encouraged others to do the same. He was a cool dad in that sense," said Barrett-Page.

Born in Niagara Falls , he was the son of Harry Livingstone Barrett and Persis (Nicholls).

Shortly after graduating from the University of Rochester in New York, he enlisted in the Navy.

A case of mistaken identity at a USO dance in Boston soon after he enlisted led to the meeting of his future wife. Believing a woman he spotted dancing with another man was a friend of his, he cut in on the couple. The woman, Barbara Tucker, became his wife in 1944.

Mr. Barrett was stationed in San Diego and served overseas in the Philippines . He served for about three years before returning to Massachusetts .

Mr. Barrett enrolled in Harvard University where he began the study of law but before completing his degree he began work on a doctorate in economics.

"Being involved in business appealed to him more than law because of the independence and freedom that gave him as opposed to the daily duties of a lawyer," said Barrett-Page.

He completed his doctorate in 1955 and moved to Wayland . He began teaching business administration at Boston University while working as a business consultant for Arthur D. Little .

Mr. Barrett left BU to become a professor of finance at Babson College in 1970 . He retired in 1988 and began working for Interpolymer, a corporation started by one of his students. Mr. Barrett worked there until about 2000.

"Business was more than just a job, it was his passion. It was his major hobby," Page said.

Mr. Barrett was also passionate about getting behind the wheel. He would drive to different areas of New England to visit businesses or just go to clear his head.

"Driving was his way of unwinding, that's just the way he was," said Barrett-Page.

He had a habit of driving with his elbows so he could take notes of what he saw, she said.

His favorite car was a black Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible with red leather interior.

"The car was the love of his life," said Mr. Barrett's son, Harry III of Northampton. "The car was out of character for him. He was a conservative man but drove this very flashy car. I think he liked the horsepower."

Mr. Barrett served as the head of trustees of the Wayland Public Library and the Building Committee of First Parish of Wayland .

He enjoyed listening to music and sketching and was involved with Vokes Community Theatre, in which his wife was also active. He had minor roles in plays, but mostly worked behind the scenes.

Mr. Barrett also enjoyed traveling and exploring.

In addition to his daughter Sally and son Harry, Mr. Barrett leaves two other daughters, Jane N. of Brooklyn, N.Y. , and Suzanne T. of Cambridge ; three granddaughters, and two grandsons.

A service will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Wayland .

Burial will be private.