Remembering Chips Barry
May 5, 2010
By Eileen Lambert
Water For People lost a dear friend Sunday, May 2, 2010. Chips Barry, a long-time board member and the CEO of Denver Water passed away at his farm in Hawaii. Chips served on the Water For People board from 1999 to 2009, acting as treasurer from 2005 to 2009. He helped to sculpt the organization into what it is today and was an active participant in helping the organization attain its strategic plan goals more than a year early in 2009. With his strong support of Water For People, Chips helped to establish Denver Water as one of Water For People’s first workplace giving programs in the 1990s. Throughout his life, he was a tireless advocate for people in need, working as a Peace Corps volunteer earlier in his career.
“Chips served with distinction as a Board member and Treasurer, and we always knew we were in good hands. We will miss his wit and wisdom, his intellect, and his great heart. He had a lifelong commitment to helping people in developing countries better their lives, and his spirit will live on in the work of Water For People around the world. Our hearts and prayers go out to Gail and the family at this difficult time,” said Elisa Speranza, Water For People President of the Board.
Chips’ family is in our thoughts.
To donate in Chips' memory, please visit: http://www.waterforpeople.org/chipsbarry.
Double your donation. StepWise Utility Advisors will match every $25 donation made to Water For People through the Chips Barry Memorial Page up to 100 such donations. Thank you StepWise, what a wonderful way to remember Chips.
If you'd like to share memories, photos, or condolences, please visit the Celebrating Chips Barry web site on the Water For People TAP Portal.
A few comments from those who knew Chips:
"I met Chips through my work with Water For People – I wish I had met him earlier in my life and career since he was one of those unique characters that you‘re only privileged to cross paths with so rarely in a lifetime. Chips was remarkably bright and intuitive and I knew that he came from a prominent Denver family - the “Hamlet J. III” was a tip-off. He used his brilliant mind, curiosity, and terrific sense of humor to serve as a catalyst for producing good in the world. He immediately put people at ease, sincerely listened to what they had to say (even with just one good ear) and helped form consensus and collaboration. I saw this time and time again in our work on the Water For People Board and the progressiveness and achievements at Denver Water under his leadership are well recognized. I was privileged to visit Chips and Gail at their farm in Hawaii several years ago and it was so apparent how much Chips loved that farm (we called it the “plantation”) and was looking forward to spending more time there when he actually retired. After all, he inherited that pioneering gene that led families like his to pick up and head out west to forge and grow a community in the middle of a great mountain range, learning to survive in thin air, and like Chips develop “big hearts”. Taking on a new career as a gentleman farmer on the Big Island was just another adventure in a long line of adventures. I’m so grateful that our paths crossed, but I so wish that he had stayed with us a little longer. He will be missed by so many, and I’m one of them. I considered him both a colleague and friend - he was one of a kind and truly made a positive difference in the lives of so many. Because of that, he won’t be forgotten." - Connie Roesch
"Chips was a great friend an inspiration to me. We served on the Water For People board. His common sense approach to issues was something I really admired. He often used humor to diffuse situations. He was one of the forward thinking water leaders. He encouraged me to take on difficult issues in our publications and programs. I will really miss talking to him." - Rita Schmidt Sudman
"David Modeer and Central Arizona Project are honored to make a donation to Water for People in memory of Chips. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Barry family." - David Modeer
More information:
Denver Post article
A statement from Colorado Govenor Bill Ritter
Radio segment by Colorado Public Radio
What do you think?
