Happy Birthday, Barry!  The passing years have not dimed my memories of you, nor the influence and benefit you had on my life's outlook.  Thank You!  RIP

Barry Schuyler was the quintessential teacher, simply, the greatest teacher one could ever hope to have.  In Barry’s presence, no student doubted for a moment that learning was a joy.  However, Barry was a mentor, never an enabler.  You had to earn his respect and trust.  If you worked hard and made no excuses, you then became Barry’s friend for life.  He followed his students and their careers with a commitment that never ceased to amaze me.  He could tell you instantly where everyone was—and what they were doing.  And yes, he always shared that news with pride. 
 
In the world of credentialing and the endless pursuit of research, Barry was UCSB’s breath of fresh air.  To its credit, the university recognized that and allowed Barry to grow in a different way.  I am proud of UCSB, and prouder still of Barry for having taught the University of California that teaching matters.  Even when he became Dr. Schuyler, he was still more comfortable being Barry Schuyler.  No door ever closed on a student’s needs. 

Now that Barry’s office is forever silenced, we can recall with joy when his voice lovingly beckoned us in.  Because we came first, we learned to make a difference.  There is no greater gift any teacher can ever bestow.
 
Alfred Runte, Ph.D.


Dear Jean and the entire Schuyler family,

For so many years, your family and particularly Barry and Jean have been like our own family.   We have hiked the Sierra trails, sat together in the Great Room of the Awahnee, found our religion in nature’s cathedral peaks and pines, explored the high deserts, reveled in natural hot springs, figured out the night constellations and sailed the Channel, planned adventures in the far north, floated rivers, cooked out in the mountains and eaten birthday cakes baked at high altitude.  And drunk quite a few bottles of sherry along the way.

With Barry, all those long years ago, we imagined what could be possible, argued FTEs out of the administration, and invented classes to inspire those who carry the future on their shoulders.  Barry was hands-down the best teacher.  Patience, curiosity, quiet competence, the kind of easy explanations that gave us confidence in ourselvesBarry did not have patience with all things, though, and it was reassuring to hear him cuss out Cassandra’s gas-leaky stove on many an occasion.

These last years, we carried you in our thoughts on the same trails, along the same Sierra meadows and creeks.

Now, Barry, know that you’ll always be with us and a part of us.  We’ll take you along, and talk to your spirit from Sierra mountaintops.  You’ll always be in our hearts.  We’ll see you again down the trail.

Cindy and Orrin Sage
Amy Sage Thomsen and Stephanie Sage Kerst