Ken Barto, 82, a former Hyde Park restaurateur, died March 3 in Palm Desert, Calif., where he moved last year. In the 1930s, he and his late brother Bus opened Station J.B.D. Restaurant in the former Picadilly Hotel. The restaurant was a favorite of University of Chicago staff and baseball clubs in town playing the White Sox. “Every day was a different story,” said his son-in-law, Robert Devine. The restaurant closed in the 1970s and Mr. Barto opened another business, a hotel and restaurant supply company. He retired five years ago. “He had to be busy all the time,” Devine said. “He couldn’t sit around.” When he wasn’t working or spending time with his family and wife of 62 years, Garcia, at their home in South Holland, Mr. Barto could be found on the golf course. Mr. Barto is also survived by two daughters, Sandra Devine and Jacqueline Patton; a brother, Bob; his aunt, Carrie Goebel; and five grandchildren. Services were Sunday.
