Barry E. Goldfarb

I had the opportunity to write to Barry a few years ago and tell him about the impact he had on my life, and in turn on the lives of my students. I was practically a high school dropout who ended up in his Ancient Greek course at Penn State by mistake some 30 years ago. He taught me how to be a thinker and a student and to have confidence and pride in scholarship. Many years later, I would teach my own students Greek and take them to the Aegean. In the course of a lifetime, you encounter one...

I too just thought of Barry and googled to see what he is up to. A very sad loss of a wonderful inspirational man. A fine mind, a great conversationalist, and an example to us all of how to bear adversity with humour and a love for life. The world is a lot emptier without him

It has been said that "the finest achievement of human society and its rarest pleasure is Conversation." The hours spent conversing with "Mr. Goldfarb" are among the most treasured of my life. Charming, witty, funny -- a close reader, the best listener, a dear friend.

Barry was always a delight to visit. He was an excellent conversationalist, with patience, charm and understanding. All his friends will miss him deeply. I'm glad his suffering has ended. He bore it like a champ. Rest in Peace, Barry.
Steve Elmore
santa fe

If someone from Barry's family sees this, please post details of his memorial service. I live in London, but I will make the trip. I want to say goodbye to an old and dear friend.

He had a voice whose sound was like the sea, pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free.

Barry came to mind today and I'm not sure why but I decided to google him and found this sad news. I got to know him almost twenty years ago and had only a few conversations with him. How he loved life! The big-hearted nature and sense of wonder he had make me remember him clearly even now.

I, too, met Barry as we both walked our dogs in the neighborhood. He was known throughout the area, stopping often to talk to everyone he encountered along the way, his laughter filling the air. We also attended a Renesan class, and I so much enjoyed our discussions in the car on the way there and back.
He was a treasured member of our community, and I will so miss running into him and his beloved dog(s). May he rest in peace.