Barry received an undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in New York and a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. He completed an internship at Albert Einstein Affiliate Hospital in New York and a residency at Cedars – Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Barry served in the USAF, 1971-1974 at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. Upon his honorable discharge, he decided to make Las Vegas his home and start an exemplary medical career.
Barry initially practiced general surgery and trauma surgery. He was the first surgeon to perform pediatric surgery in southern Nevada. Barry also spent 10 years as a full time academic at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Later in his career, he was a self-taught advanced laparoscopist and pioneered bariatric surgery in Las Vegas performing many firsts in Nevada including open gastric bypass and Lap Band procedures.
An avid pilot, Barry was a member of the Angel Flight program flying less fortunate people to hospitals outside their communities for medical care. He also participated in the Young Eagles program introducing youngsters to aviation.
Barry had numerous hobbies he enjoyed sharing with his family. These included breeding and showing tropical fish, breeding and exhibiting Afghan Hounds, Whippets, and Salukis, riding horses, collecting art, racing sports cars, and more.
Barry is survived by his wife Andrea Dresser, son Scott (Sonja), daughter Stacy (Steven), son Josh (Tayler), stepson Zachary, stepson Avi, granddaughter Elizabeth (Ryan), granddaughter Adaya, granddaughter Breindel and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews and countless friends and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barry’s name to the Rotary Club of Las Cruces, https://www.lascrucesrotaryclub.org/page/give or the Mesilla Valley Hospice, https://mvhospice.kindful.com.
