We were lucky enough to know the Barry family when they were stationed in Virginia. Our boys met and became friends when Devon and Colin were in middle school. The Barrys were the nicest and always so open with their home. I was always so amazed at how “California” the family was. While I certainly knew Megan better at moms, Dave was always such a nice guy and super fun. We are so sad to hear the news and the world has lost a true angel on earth. Dave will be missed and Megan we are here for anything you need. Big hugs and love to you all.

We were lucky enough to meet the Barry Family back in 2001 when my daughter, Schade and Cameron were in 1st grade together at Loma Portal Elementary. I remember Dave rolling up to our house in his VW bus, always with the biggest smile on his face to drop the girls off after a trip to the beach or some other adventure they so graciously included them in. Megan and Dave are the kind of people you meet and you just know how much they love, care and respect each other and their boys, Cameron and Colin. We only had 2 short years of Point Loma fun together but we remained friends after they moved to San Antonio, etc! We spent many fun summers camping at the beach at Camp Pendleton. Dave would cook the kids hot dogs for breakfast and let them climb on his shoulders. He was always so good with the kids and everyone else as well!  The Barry’s were our gracious hosts when we visited them in Virginia Beach. We definitely felt like one of the family because that is just how they are. We even had a fun meet up at San Francisco State when Cameron and Schade were looking at colleges. We had an amazing dim sum lunch with their whole family afterwards that was so good. One thing I always remember is how good Megan and Dave were with ordering food. It’s like an art form. And their choices were always stellar! The last time I saw Dave was in June after Megan and I had met for a quick walk in Liberty Station on their way back to Long Beach. He was taking our photo in front of the “USS Neversail” and was trying to get the shot just right. I just remember us all laughing and Dave had the biggest smile on his face, as always! We are so grateful for our 10+ years of friendship with Megan, Dave, Cameron and Colin. Dave was an amazing husband, father and friend and knowing him was truly a gift we will treasure always. We will keep him in our hearts forever and are eternally thankful for the memories of him that we have to cherish.

Sadly, I never met Dave but know of him through a relationship I have with his mother Karen.....we play tennis together. I have always admired Karen's tenacity and love of life....have a hard time believing she really is as old as she says she is based on what she does physically in her life....tennis, hiking, backpacking.....she is one superwoman. On an emotional level she is humble, positive, grounded, and an all-around nice person. That said, after reading Dave's story about what he has accomplished, all those he helped along the way and the exemplary values he displayed......I know the apple is truly of the same variety as that of his mom.

I first met Dave when he was a toxicology fellow. The first thing I noticed about Dave was he had the ability to smile with his eyes and light up a room. As we became better friends over the years our too infrequent meetings included a hug and asking how I was doing. No matter what was going on, meeting up with Dave made you feel immediately better. Those of us in academic medicine have the habit of starting conversations about an interesting case or what we are working on, not Dave. Dave always started with talking about Megan, and then updating about Cameron and Colin and how proud Dave was of them. After mentioning their house and some other topics other than medicine, maybe we would discuss medicine or toxicology, often not. That always impressed me and stayed with me as a model of what we all should do. My heart is heavy and missing Dave. One of the most enjoyable things about being a toxicologist is going to the scientific meetings and meeting up with friends. Meeting up with Dave was always a highlight. Dave thanks for touching the lives you touched and healing the patients you healed and being my friend. Until we meet again. Rest in Peace Dave.

I met Dave in September of 1986 when we moved into the same freshman dorm at UCSD.  Surfing was our first bond and along with that came eating at the cafeteria together, and skateboarding around campus.  One of his favorite things at the cafeteria was chicken strips and ranch dressing.  He was the slowest eater also, relishing every bite while I just filled my empty stomach and made fun of him for eating so slow. Dave always had an air of confidence about him.  His demeanor was always relaxed despite all the work he was doing and the challenges he was facing.  Not only was he getting A's in some of the hardest classes, but he had to join the UCSD rowing team (crew) just to add another challenge to an allready full schedule to demonstrate how much better than all of us he was.  We were wondering where the party was that night and Dave was going to bed early because he had to get up in the middle of the night on most mornings for rowing practice.  Dave was kind to everyone and I never saw him demonstrate anger or hate.  Of course, after his little Datsun sports car, Dave always had a VW van he was working on and they all had so much character and brought him so much happiness.  The first one I remember was around 1989 and I couldn't believe that he was on his back taking the engine out of it in his garage.  That was only the beginning and they just got better from there.  Dave and Bruce and I had many surf sessions together and they are some of my fondest memories from college.  We tried to continue our surfing adventures after college but they became fewer and further between as we got jobs and started families.  Dave had a minimalist quality about him that I admired but could not duplicate.  One of his minimalist habits was preferring to wear old white t-shirts, often with holes in them, with no apparent need for anything more.  He could achieve happiness and success with less than anybody I have ever known.  Dave was lucky to find a woman like Megan that could thrive in this lifestyle with him and she completed him.  Cameron and Colin were raised right and made Dave and Megan so proud with their accomplishments and good nature.  Dave's legacy will live on in their promising young lives.  The last time I saw Dave was in August of 2020 when he and Megan camped at the beach and I visited them for a few hours in the evening and ate pizza.  The last thing I remember him saying was that we should get together and ride bikes to the beach from his house.  For the last 2 years I thought of doing that from time to time but always pushed it off until a more convenient time.  We never rode bikes to the beach.  Just like with so many other things, we never know when these activities will no longer be an option.  They say we should seize the day and live like it was our last.  When I hear that I think of Dave because that is how he lived.  He also got to finish his last day here doing what he loved with the person he loved the most.  The world will miss this exemplary man.

Dr Barry,
I met and worked with you late in life.  Your personal and professional guidance will always be cherished.  Your inspiration and spirit will be thought of forever.  I miss my friend I named Deebo because you rode your beech cruiser to and from work daily.

Your friend,
Marcus