Mr. Barry M. Barash

Barry M. Barash, 82, of Galesburg, died at 4:13 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Heartland Health Care Center.

He was born May 6, 1938, in Galesburg, the son of Burrel B. and Rosalyne J. (Silver) Barash. He married Louisa Friedrich (Buck), and to this union their son, D. Scott Barash, was born. He later was married to Carol Lind and Pamela Smith.

He is survived by his son, D. Scott (and wife, Gayle Wald) Barash of Washington, D.C.; a grandson, Zachary A. Barash; and a brother, Anthony H. (and wife, Terri Hanson) Barash of Chicago. Other survivors include former sister-in-law, Jean Barash; nephews, Andrew Barash and Matthew Barash; and nieces, Betsy (Barash) Murphy and Katie (Barash) Hubbard. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Barry was reared and educated in Galesburg, graduating from Galesburg High School in 1956. He graduated from Cornell University in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree and earned his juris doctor in 1962 from the University of Chicago Law School. Barry was an attorney for 55 years.

He began his career as an assistant professor of business law at Humboldt State College in Arcata, California, and then moved to Springfield, where he served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Illinois. He then returned to Galesburg to practice law with his father at Barash & Stoerzbach and later with Barash & Everett. He was a highly accomplished attorney who was a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a noted author and scholar in the field of agricultural bankruptcies.

He also was a licensed commercial pilot who loved airplanes. He had such a passion for flying that he went into business with Harrel Timmons in JetAir Inc. for more than 35 years. 

Barry was public-spirited and had many interests. He served on the Galesburg School Board in the 1960s. He was a trustee of Knox College and was past-president of the Galesburg Public Library Foundation. Barry was an Eagle Scout, an achievement of which he was very proud. His curiosity about the world was legendary. He was a discerning collector of antiques and a lover of antique automobiles, a world traveler, and keenly interested in politics and world affairs. Barry was a dog lover, especially his beloved Snickers and Mallie.

Per Barry’s wishes, cremation will be accorded.  A visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel.  Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited occupancy.  Private family burial will be next to his parents in Brookside Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Galesburg Public Library Foundation or the Knox County Humane Society.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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