Charles Edward “Ed” Barber, also known as “Mr. Alligator” or “Uncle Ed,” died March 29 at 86 years old.
Barber’s legacy in UF’s journalism community and at The Alligator stretches over 50 years. Alumni and former colleagues remember him as a mustachioed mentor, chili connoisseur and steadfast supporter of independent student journalism.
The South Florida native first became involved with The Alligator as a student reporter a year after enrolling at UF in 1962. After a brief career at the university, Barber became The Alligator’s general manager, president and treasurer in 1976. He resigned in 2007 after holding the position for over three decades.
