Barry "Prof Barry" Dwolatzky, April 29, 1952-May 16, 2023

Grand Geek

My friend Barry died this week. We had been trying to set up a meeting to arrange a learning event in South Africa when I got a message from his wife Rina that he was in hospital. I told him I looked forward to when he was well & we could talk.

Three of my many Prof Barry memories:

• Listening to stories of fighting apartheid during my first visit to SA in 2005. Everyone had their stories to tell. Barry didn’t say much but he smiled a lot. Now I know why (read Coded History!).

• Kicking rat carcasses out of the way while touring derelict buildings near Wits University. Barry described the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct that only he could see. By then I knew him well enough that I wouldn’t have bet against his vision, rats or no.

• Last time we were together—walking near his house. We talked about getting older in tech, education & the promise of the next generation, & the social impact of technology. We ran across friends of his in the park (no surprise) & downed a couple of whiskies. Got hot half way through & ate a popsicle.

Barry lived his life by principle. He felt a responsibility to non-white South Africans & put his life on the line to support them. He felt a responsibility to the tech world of Africa, Cairo to Cape Town, & worked to educate everyone on the continent. He loved the work of programming & kept geeking.

Barry backed his principles up with effort. His effort has now ceased. Because he worked from principle, though, that effort continues in the work of students & grand-students & great-grand-students. Grand Geek, indeed.