BARBARA A. BARLETTA

BARLETTA, BARBARA A., 62
Gainesville - Barbara A. Barletta, age 62, of Gainesville, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, February 1, 2015. She was born August 6, 1952 in Carmel, California to the late Vincent and Leona Barletta. She attended Montgomery HS in Santa Rosa California and graduated from Chester F. Awalt HS in Mountain View California. She earned a BA in Ancient History and Archaeology from the University of California Santa Barbara and an MA and PhD in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology from Bryn Mawr College. She was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at UCSB.
Dr. Barletta was Professor of Art and Art History at the University of Florida since 1983. Prior to joining the UF faculty she taught at Newcomb College of Tulane University in New Orleans and the University of Missouri-Columbia. During her career she published three books, many book chapters, articles, and book reviews and appeared in the PBS/Nova film 'Secrets of the Parthenon.' She was recognized as a leading scholar of the history of the Greek architectural orders, which are the foundation of the Western architectural tradition. She won numerous honors and awards including the Andrew W Mellon Fellowship in Classical Studies from the American Academy in Rome (Rome Prize) and four National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships. She was very active in national and local governance of the Archaeological Institute of America, the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and the American Academy in Rome. At the University of Florida she was a member of the Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars and a University of Florida Research Foundation Professor. Barbara introduced many UF students, including Lombardi Scholars, to the ancient sculpture and architecture of Greece and Italy as coordinator of an Overseas Study Program and was an advisor to the UF Honors Program successfully mentoring applicants for prestigious national scholarships.
Prof. Barletta had good taste and high standards. She loved Hippodrome plays, orchids, and ouzo time in Athens. A tenacious field researcher, Barbara often overcame bureaucratic obstacles to achieve her scholarly goals. During the height of the Greek economic crisis when local museums reduced hours or closed their doors completely, Barbara always gained access by sheer persistence and charm. Those who accompanied Barbara to Greece or Italy received personalized tours of archaeological sites and were guided to the finest off-the-beaten-track eateries, where she would recommend the best in local cuisine, wine, and chocolate.
She is survived by her husband Michael Binford of Gainesville, sister Andrea Schellinger (Frank) of Santa Rosa, CA, brother Vincent Barletta (Anna) of Pleasanton, CA, three nieces, four nephews, two great nieces and one great nephew. Prof. Barletta is also survived by many friends and colleagues throughout the world.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in Prof. Barletta's memory may be made to the Alachua County Humane Society, the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology of Bryn Mawr College, or the Art Library of the University of California, Santa.