Barry and I taught together at WRMS. We shared many, many years of fun but not always appropriate jokes, a love of music, storytelling and the gift it is to be a teacher. And he was one of the best mentors to his students and those of us blessed to call him friend. My heart goes out to his family and of us who loved him dearly.

Barry and I rode the 'Hotter Than Hell 100 Mile Ride in August of about 1989 or maybe 1990.   It was a little toasty, but we made it.

I worked with Barry starting in 2009.  He brought a steady, laid back presence to language teacher meetings, and he always had good advice and ideas to share.  He was great teacher, and he did so much more for the kids than just teach them.  I still can’t quite believe he is gone. My heart goes out to Barry’s family and “kids” and colleagues- his is a tremendous loss.  Ave atque vale!

Rest In Peace  my beloved brother. I love you and  am glad you were a part of my life. I will miss you and cherish my memories of you until God calls me home. Love, your oldest younger sister.

My condolences to Genie,Jesse, and Barry's family. Barry's humor, wry smile , and twinkling eyes usually flashed in astonishment or amusement will be truly missed.

(Continued) He was a unique guy and a special friend, and I will miss him greatly.

Farewell, my Brother

I knew Barry best during high school and college. I stayed in touch with him over the years after he moved to Austin with texts and phone calls, as well as during his annual visits home. We shared a love of music, playing in a garage band and listening to Miles Davis late at night while sharing a 6-pack of Rheingold Chug-a-Mugs. It’s interesting that our musical taste evolved in the same direction, ending up in Texas. He was my basketball buddy, and we would seek out pick-up games at local parks. We also played a lot of pinball, especially at the Quarry House. He was a great conversationalist, a good listener who was interested in you. He was sometimes slow to respond, as he actually thought before he spoke.

Barry and I honed many parts of our adult identities together.  In a haze of young love we jointly pursued guitar, tennis & cooking (though I never matched his fervor for perfection)!  When my career took me to Beirut during dangerous times, Barry followed.  When he chose to pursue a higher degree in Classics, we moved together to Texas.  When my love of the mountains called me back to Wyoming, Barry was by my side even though you never ever saw anyone less comfortable on horseback.  Together we produced the magnificent Jesse Lynn Brandenburg and never lost sight of her as our joint responsibility and source of pride. 

When the bloom of our young love faded, Barry found Genie and widened the family circle…joy and contentment!  And when I found new love, Barry joined the raucous Jones family gatherings with the signature wry wit and insight that many others have mentioned. When grandchildren were introduced into the mix, I witnessed a new side of Barry…a whole new level of love…an extra sparkle.  

I never imagined a world of Genie without Barry; Jesse without Dad; Branden, JJ & Lydia without NuNu.  It feels a bit dark right now, but the stories, pictures, and vivid memories of good times bring smiles and laughter.  Hugs to all of you for sharing your memories and for being a part of Barry’s life journey!!


Barry was a truly gifted, multi-talented, kind and caring colleague. My morning was always brighter when I would see Barry standing in the hallway outside the cafeteria near Josh Kight’s classroom, and we would have a chance to chat briefly before classes began. He was always upbeat and funny, always a good listener, and it was a joy to converse with him about anything and everything. His interests were diverse and his knowledge was deep. 

His students absolutely adored him. He challenged them - and he appreciated each and every one of them. And they knew it.

Barry and I taught in Eanes together for many, many years. He was always a vibrant soul. My deepest condolences to Genie and Jesse and all those who loved him. He will be deeply missed.


Barry joined the Hill Country Middle School faculty in late summer of 1986. That particular district-wide convocation would be one of the very few he attended, not for any intentional shirking of duty but because of his natural tendencies toward respectful resistance and good-natured skepticism.

Barry quickly pitched in wholeheartedly to grow and strengthen the Eanes Latin program. He cared deeply for his students and took great pride in their hard work and successes at Eanes and beyond.

Soon after we met at HCMS, Barry became a stalwart member of our shared city league softball teams: the Red Herrings, the Quarks, the Brew Crew, and the Flounders, one of Austin's most celebrated softball teams of the past 40 years. Come crunch time, Barry was the ultimate team player. He loved the competitive fire and dedication playing sports demand--and the ensuing fellowship and enduring friendships most of all. 

He joined in our Pedernales River Authority band with his guitar, mandolin, distinctive voice, and his visionary song-selection skills. We sang Dead Skunk and Old Chunk of Coal with of band of brothers and sisters in the annual 8th graders' expeditions for at least 25 years. One year, Barry joined me in a rowdy rendition of You Gotta Serve Somebody at the treasured WHS Dylan Day. He admired Dylan's words and poetry, but down deep, Barry truly loved the music  and sharp wit of David Bromberg, Loudon Wainwright, and, of course, John Prine.

Each summer he played golf with good friends, with family, with strangers. Barry loved any sport that demanded purity and focus--tennis, basketball, golf, softball--and he loved to win or lose gracefully with friends that became family over time. He cherished his friends and family that miss him so dearly with that same purity and deep-hearted conviction. 

I'm posting a few favorite photos including the magical image from his amazing ace. May we always feel Barry's special spirit and eternal, miraculous magic.
  
   

Barry was always positive and kind.  He made West Ridge a better place for students and staff.  In our 30 years of teaching at The Ridge,  I only remember one negative comment when he inquired as to where were the leftover turkey legs from Medieval Day.   Apparently, he had a yearly date with the leftovers in the lounge.   I try to model his patience and expertise every day at school.   Teachers like Barry are a blessing and I am  honored to have worked with him.  Rest in peace my friend.

Barry was a good friend with a kind heart. The world is less bright without him. 

Barry was a good friend with a kind heart. His students and colleagues loved him dearly. The world is less bright without him.

Barry taught across the hall from me for 12+ years. In all that time I never heard a negative word from him. He frequently shared the best wisdom, and made an incredibly positive impact on me as a teacher. You will be missed!

Magister Brandenburg was my Latin teacher and forever installed a love of the language. He encouraged me to grow and even do a bit of my own learning and has remained one of my favourite teachers. 


It is with a heavy heart and a tennis racket sized grief I write about our dear friend and tennis aficionado, Barry. His passion for the sport was only surpassed by his impeccable sense of humor, which left us in stitches on and off the court.

But I want to remember him not with tears but with gratitude for his friendship and life lessons. 

Rest in peace, dear Barry and may your serves forever be ace-high and your jokes forever bring laughter to the heavens above. Game, set, match!

God was looking out for me as a 22 year old baby teacher when he parked me right next door to Barry Brandenburg. Twenty years my senior, he mentored & advised me in all points of life, becoming a close friend & confidant throughout my 18 years at West Ridge Middle School. Always ready to lend a critical ear or to play devil’s advocate, Barry helped me sort through workplace conflicts, relationship struggles, and heartbreak of all varieties. Like a big brother, he helped me to gain confidence & learn to believe in myself, even if nobody else did. Though we had not talked in a number of years, I thought of him often and my heart breaks to know that he is gone. That I will never again have the chance to see him, the twinkle in his eyes brought on by lively discourse of the aspects of life, both profound and ridiculous. Vale Magister. I will never forget you & I am eternally grateful for the love you poured into your students. I count myself blessed to have been one of them. My deepest condolences to Genie, Jesse, and to all who loved Barry. 

Barry was more than a friend.  I was an only child but, Barry was my Brother.  We met around age 9 or 10 and have held on to our friendship for close to sixty years.    We talked about  our shared experiences and life in general in ways that I have had with only one other person, my Wife.  This brings me back to the extremely sad moment when Barry told me about his cousin Mark Firmani passing (a brother to both of us).  Now, my heart has broken for a second time. I feel like a piece of me is missing now, but I will hold close my memories of my best friend.  I am so sorry to not have him around.  Even though we lived far apart for many years, I always had a close feeling of being at home when we got together or spoke.    He has made such a great mark on so many lives, not only through personal relationships, but the countless students that he had.  I know he made many positive impacts on all of  us.  I would like to offer sincere condolences to everyone out there who knew and loved him, especially Genie, Jesse (and the Grandkids), Lori, Donna, Karen, Mrs. Brandenburg, Jane, the Firmani's and other family, Phil. 

My husband Vince has been friends with Barry since childhood,  likely Vince 8 and Barry 10.  They stayed in contact all these years, calling each other on their birthdays. As wife to Vince I have so many memories over the decades.  Barry and I had lively philosophical discussions whenever we were together.  I am thankful for their long lasting friendship.  This picture was taken Oct 2022 when we visited Barry and Genie in Austin. 

OBITUARIO

Barry Leonard Brandenburg

28 noviembre, 1953 – 5 julio, 2023

Cook-Walden Funeral Home

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