I am so deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Barney, my wonderful friend and guru.

For me the jejune intellectual landscape of the Computer Science Department was redeemed only by the presence of Barney.

We met in 1987 when I took one of his rambling AI courses at NIU. It was a riot to be in his class and I convinced him to take one every semester after that so that we could meet regularly. And so those crazy Prolog courses continued, with his faithful followers signing up for each one.

We spent hours together after class chatting, joking, arguing. And after every conversation there was a list of books that must be read.
I find I do exactly the same with my students now. If they recall me with even half the fondness with which I talk of Barney, I think I'll have nailed it.

He once said to me in an unguarded moment - tell your father back in India that I'm looking after you here.

When I left the US he insisted on picking me up from NIU and dropped me to Chicago airport, after spending a lovely day together by the lake.

He wasn't much of an emailer but we did have some really long phone calls when K left him.

I cajoled him to visit India. The land of Gandhi, who we both deeply admired. He just laughed. He had a point, i mean the guy could barely make it across the street to get a sandwich. It was always such a big production, his dinner.

Goodbye dear Barney. Wherever the fuck you may be now, keep on haranguing them, like you always did.

- Jogesh

I will never forgot Barney. We spent so many evenings in his condominium (or cat-eminium as he called it) in Chicago discussing everything from mathematics to psychology to music. Barney had so many incredible stories and I always looked at him with great admiration. Barney taught me so much about life, about learning and about loving. Barney was the smartest and most interesting man I will ever meet in my lifetime.
Gordon Dri

A brilliant, generous man, and a wonderful, dedicated teacher. I learned so much from Barney over the years, and feel so privileged to have known him.

As I think of Barney, I remember all those wide-ranging, mind-blowing conversations we had about everything under the sun and over the moon.

The jokes (both good and bad).

The quotes (always profound).

The way he'd occasionally burst into a Gilbert & Sullivan song with that beautiful bass voice of his.

His total befuddlement at the mysteries of 3-dimensional existence.

His great love of learning and teaching, and his deep affection for his students.

His bright smile, booming laughter, boundless curiosity, and incredibly sage insights into life and love and what it is to be human.

All of these things made this world a better place.

Dearest Barney, thank you for your tour of duty on this planet. Though there are tears here on this earth today, I hear your laughter in the ethers!

I feel very fortunate and privileged to have met Barney and to have been able to share some of his wisdom, wit, intelligence and humour. Barney was one of those exceptional humans that from time to time we are lucky to meet and be able to share some time, laughter, friendship and love. Barney had the uncanny ability to read people fast and be able to draw them in like a long lost friend or family member. The conversation would always pick up where it had left off and no matter how hard every day life had become for Barney, he always had the mental energy and space to dig deep and force you to do the same. Barney had a smile that would light up the room. Within minutes of being with Barney, he made you feel welcome, valued and loved. He saw beauty and value in the treasures that in the end make life worth living. Thank you Barney for the laughter, love, acceptance and sharing your intellect with me. I will never forget the conversations, the feeling of being in the presence of someone great yet so humble and brave. A one-of-a-kind person; I am blessed for having known you. I hope we will meet again sometime on the other side. You're going to me missed by many, Barney.