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Barry Sapolsky Obituary
A Memorial Service will be held at Temple Israel on Mahan Drive on Sunday, December 5th at 1:30 P.M.
Barry, born and raised in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was the son of the late George and Rachel Sapolsky. Barry is survived by his devoted wife of thirty-five years Joann, and son Max of Tallahassee, daughter Lauren and husband Garrett Schemmel, grandson Colin Joseph Schemmel of Atlanta, and sister Dahri May and husband Michael May of Reston, Virginia. Our family is especially grateful that Barry was able to hold his grandson Colin soon after he was born on October 15th.
Barry began his career at Florida State University's Department of Communication in 1977, after matriculating at Bucknell University (B.A. 1971) and Indiana University (Ph.D. 1977). At Indiana University Barry studied and published with renowned media effects scholar, Dolff Zilmann. Barry quickly made his mark in the scholarly world and with his colleagues at FSU. His research examined how such controversial media issues as violence, coarse language and sexuality affected different audiences. His work in these areas now functions as scholarly touchstones to a new generation of media scholars. Barry also served in every major capacity at the department level, including five years as department chair - a testament to the admiration and respect with which he was held by his colleagues.
Later in his academic career Barry directed the Communication Research Center, an important campus and community resource for his students and colleagues. In 2004 he was honored with the James E. Kirk endowed professorship, a distinction that marked both his scholarly achievement and his unwavering commitment to the life of the department, college and university. An endowed FSU scholarship will be established to honor Barry's dedication to mentoring students and helping them begin their careers.
Friends and family will miss Barry's warmth, kindness, dry sense of humor, perfectly-timed quips, intellect, blues harmonica playing, and festive Pittsburgh Steelers parties.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Big Bend Hospice House Capital Fund, 1723 Ma¬han Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 23208; Florida State University Foundation, P.O. Box 3062739, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-2739; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, P.O. Box 23827, Tampa, Florida 33623-3827; or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Barry Sapolsky
Fred Molitor
November 30, 2010
Apart from my dad and father-in-law, Barry was the most influential man in my life. He taught me a lot and I’m extremely grateful to have met Barry Sapolsky.
I was one of the lucky students to work with him on his state-wide surveys. We had great times in the office and in the field collecting seat-belt and child-restraint-device use data. Great memories of my four years at FSU include working with Barry on various research projects, and enjoying time outside the classroom with him and Joann. Barry always made you laugh.
Over the last few days I’ve been thinking a lot about my time at FSU and Barry in particular. I remember well the anxiety I experienced during my first week of classes, ending with a well-attended and much-fun party at the Sapolsky’s. I recall now two pertinent details related to the party. First, it exemplified Barry’s selflessness; he opened his house and provided food and drink that night to what was probably 60 to 70 new graduate students, faculty, and staff. Second, Barry unfortunately became ill right before the party and spent the evening in bed. Although his illness that night was unrelated to his subsequent health problems, it represented one of many times that Barry was unfairly kept from doing something that he wanted to do because of his health.
I regret that we didn’t have the chance to spend more time together since leaving Tallahassee in 1993.The last time we saw Barry was at Lauren’s wedding. One of my last memories of Barry is his toast to Lauren and Garrett. Not one person in the room that evening could help from laughing out loud; my wife and I were in tears by the end of Barry’s speech. It’s good during this time to remember the times that Barry made you cry from laughing.
November 30, 2010
Barry hired me as an assistant during my first semester in grad school. He was a great guide through my years at FSU as both teacher and mentor. He will be missed. Diane Harney, (Tacoma, WA)
Fred Molitor
November 30, 2010
Apart from my dad and father-in-law, Barry was the most influential man in my life. He taught me a lot and I'm extremely grateful to have met Barry Sapolsky.
I was one of the lucky students to work with him on his state-wide surveys. We had great times in the office and in the field collecting seat-belt and child-restraint-device use data. Great memories of my four years at FSU include working with Barry on various research projects, and enjoying time outside the classroom with him and Joann. Barry always made you laugh.
Over the last few days I've been thinking a lot about my time at FSU and about Barry in particular. I remember well the anxiety I experienced during my first week of classes, ending with a well-attended and much-fun party at the Sapolsky's. I recall now two pertinent details related to the party. First, it exemplified Barry's selflessness; he opened his house and provided food and drink that night to what was probably 60 to 70 new graduate students, faculty, and staff. Second, Barry unfortunately became ill right before the party and spent the evening in bed. Although his illness that night was unrelated to his subsequent health problems, it represented one of many times that Barry was unfairly kept from doing something that he wanted to do because of his health.
I regret that we didn't have the chance to spend more time together since leaving Tallahassee in 1993. The last time we saw Barry was at Lauren's wedding. One of my last memories of Barry is his toast to Lauren and Garrett. Not one person in the room that evening could help from laughing out loud; my wife and I were in tears by the end of Barry's speech. It's good now to remember the times that Barry made you cry from laughing.
November 30, 2010
Joann, please accept our humble sympathies to you, Max, Lauren, family and close friends. We will truly miss Barry's quick wit and profound understanding of world around us. Dennis & Gail LaRosa
November 30, 2010
Barry directed my disser and sent me on the road to watch people drive cars and wear seat belts. I've never laughed more.
I often recall my times with Barry both in and out of the classroom. Much of his teaching style and how I interact with students on a personal level are modeled on him. I've never forgotten his support for Usha and I at a crucial time in our lives.
Lance Kinney
Steve and Helen Carothers Edwards and family
November 30, 2010
Please accept or sincere condolences.
Kayce Morton
November 30, 2010
Barry's long struggle is finished, but he will remain in my heart always. He had a wonderful dry humor, and gave the best wedding toast I have ever heard at Lauren's wedding!
My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
Gail Frey
November 30, 2010
Joann - My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jack Potter
November 30, 2010
I am proud to say that I was Barry's first Masters student at FSU. Barry was a great mentor who had high standards--pushing you to get it right with the keen insights and compassion to put you back on track when you missed the mark. I remember Barry's competitiveness on the volleyball court and in his den playing pool with fondness. But most of all I will remember Barry for his dry wit, professional wrestling quips and being a good friend. Joann and family my thoughts are with you.
Melissa Hallaian
November 30, 2010
With deepest sympathy, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mark Zeigler
November 30, 2010
Barry was a tremendous scholar, a mentor, and an even better friend. I will miss him greatly. Thank you, Joann, Lauren, and Max for sharing him with us. He made our department a wonderful place to work.
Lucia Fishburne
November 30, 2010
Barry was a beloved professor that helped so many of us navigate the arduous and winding graduate student track. His stringent academic expectations were always moderated by a sharp sense of humor and, once he knew you, a surprising "fun" side. He welcomed us into his home and his heart. I will forever keep the sound of his blues harp in my heart. My thoughts are with his equally wonderful family.
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