Mike Barton, 54, of he Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues, Inc. (RICOWI) died March 22, 2009, after a sailboat accident. He was born July 3, 1954.

Mike Barton, 54, of he Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues, Inc. (RICOWI) died March 22, 2009, after a sailboat accident. He was born July 3, 1954.

Mr. Barton joined RICOWI as an Affiliate member in March 2000. He served as a trained team member on the Oklahoma City hail storm investigation and recently as the Captain of a low slope investigation team for Hurricane Ike.

RICOWI officials said he was ready to deploy with a hail team for a 2009 hail investigation, and imparted his knowledge of roofing products and industry standards to ensure better roofing systems and specifically was committed to finding the means to lower hail losses through research on “hail resistant” roofs.

RICOWI’s Executive Director, Patty Wood-Shields, said Mr. Barton “was always one of the first members to offer new ideas and methods for our research.”

He is survived by his wife, Diane; and two sons, Shane and Chris. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, April 6. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to go to the Dallas Ecological Foundation Youth Fund and should be designated as “Tribute to Michael Barton.”

Mike’s passion was hunting and this fund will be applied towards the future of a youth hunter who has passed all his safety requirements and does not have the means to hunt. Send checks to the Dallas Safari Club, 6390 LBJ Fwy, Suite 108, Dallas, TX 75240-6414.