John [Jack] Steben Barth

Jack Barth, 73, passed away on, June 15, 2023, at his home in San Rafael, California, after a lengthy illness. He was born on January 30, 1950, in Hinsdale, Illinois to Arnold Paul Barth and Janet Harriet Steben. Jack was the third of five children to Arnold and Janet Barth.

Jack spent most of his youth in Elgin, Illinois, where the family moved shortly after he was born. To accommodate his father's career as a chemical engineer, the family also lived in Torrance, California and Burlington, Wisconsin before finally returning to Elgin. Jack attended high school and college in Illinois, and in 1979 followed his brother Doug to Marin County, California to assist him with his homebuilding and remodeling business. Later Jack established his own woodworking business, Hillcrest Design. In 1983 Jack met his wife, Rayna. They were married in 1988 and had 2 children, Aaron Arnold Barth, and Audrey Ann Barth.

Jack was a creative, talented, free spirit. He made beautiful furniture for his clients and his family, and when Jack and his wife purchased their Eichler home in 1996, Jack spent many hours remodeling and improving the home so much so that it became known as "the house that Jack built."

Jack's interests included vegetable gardening, astronomy, science fiction, and Egyptology. His collection of books about Egyptology includes over 200 volumes. In 1992 Jack fulfilled a lifelong dream when he and Rayna went to Egypt. Jack was a music fan and played many instruments including trombone, baritone, tuba, bass guitar, and guitar. In his youth, he was in several bands including one with his brother Bruce. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles, the hardest available, and worked on them daily until shortly before he passed away.

Jack is survived by his loving wife Rayna Ungersma, his children, Aaron and Audrey Barth, his sister Leslie Anderson, and his brothers Bruce and Peter Barth. He was preceded in death by his parents, Janet and Arnold, and his brother Douglas Barth.

Details about a celebration honoring his life will be announced later. Jack was very concerned about the chaos and devastation caused by wars around the world and particularly about the conflict in Ukraine. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to: USA for UNHCR-UN Refugee Agency https://give.unrefugees.org/230510gen_homectrl_d_3000/ or International Rescue Committee https://help.rescue.org/donate/make-tribute-donation