DONALD BARLIANT

DONALD BARLIANT
Donald Barliant, attorney, independent book seller, astute political observer, and storyteller whose childhood in the Jane Addams Hull House in Chicago helped shape his worldview, died on Saturday December 9, at his home in Santa Fe. He was 86.
His wife, Janet Bailey, said the cause was heart failure.
Don grew up in the projects near Chicago's Little Italy where his father Leo worked for the Santa Fe Railroad shifting cars and commodities and his mother, Helen, was a housewife who did occasional stints as a stenographer and sales clerk. Early on, he mastered the violin, performing on stage with local orchestras. After taking a beating from a local gang at age ten, his parents sent him to a rabbinical school where he became, in his words, a "godless gadfly." While his grandparents were Orthodox, Don was deeply connected to Judaism without believing in God. The Israeli Palestinian war caused him great distress in his final days.
After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a major in political science, he earned a law degree from DePaul. A memorable accomplishment from his time practicing law was a personal injury case that made law in Illinois. His client was a spectator at a golf tournament, eating a hot dog, when an errant tee shot sent a golf ball straight into her face. She lost an eye. At the time of the incident, the law asserted that a sports spectator assumed all liability for death or injury at an event. Don argued that the event coordinator also had responsibility for exercising reasonable care for the spectator's safety. A jury agreed and awarded his client one of the largest verdicts for such an injury. An Illinois appellate court affirmed, thereby changing Illinois law.
In 1967 Don bought a lefty, gonzo-hippy, but literary bookstore as a hobby. In those days, when publishers sent authors on the road, Barbara's Books hosted a galaxy of great writers: Isaac Bashevis Singer, Joseph Heller, David Sedaris, Joan Didion and scores more. Currently, the chain has eleven stores in the Chicago area, including at O'Hare airport. Don operated the stores with his wife of 47 years, Janet Bailey, right up to the end. He had no intention of retiring.
Don was a quiet force in the book business. He took on Amazon when he convinced many of the largest publishers to use Barbara's Books as a supplier to conventions and other meetings where books would be available for purchase. His credibility with publishers led developers of upscale malls in the Chicago suburbs to seek Barbara's Books as anchor tenants.
Known for his curly crown of white hair and insatiable curiosity, Don delighted in meeting people so he could learn new things. He was assisted by an ever present sidekick – his iPad. He collected first edition books, chocolate, and was a total news junkie from Adlai Stevenson to Joe Biden.
Ernest Donald Barliant was born on Jan 25, 1937, in Chicago. His first marriage to Esther Scholar ended in divorce. He is survived by sons Scott Barliant and his wife Jennifer of Park Ridge, Ill., and Jared Barliant and his wife Michelle of Santa Fe, and grandchildren Jackson, Grace, Henry, Isaak and Arran. He and Janet Bailey, the love of his life (he bought her gifts on his birthday), eloped in 1976. Their daughter, Rebecca Schwartz, lives with her husband, David, in Des Plaines, Ill., with sons Lucas and Eli. He is also survived by step daughter Kari Hubbard and her husband Bruce of Colville, Washington, grandchildren Matthew and Haley, and sister Marlene Frank and husband Eugene of Santa Fe.
Don was a trusted advisor, confidant, and source of wisdom on all topics for countless family members and friends from all walks of life who constantly sought his counsel. He was both brilliant and a true mensch, large in stature and presence, and will be deeply missed by those who had the great fortune to know and love him.
A private memorial is planned for the end of January.