REMEMBERING
BARRY LORD

To Gail Dexter Lord, we send our condolences on the loss of your distinguished and brilliant husband. We only met him once, but we were very impressed by him. He did so much for the museum community across the world. No doubt, you will carry on his good work!

Arthur and Karen Blumenthal
Winter Park, Florida

I worked with Barry from the early planning days of the Museum of the American Revolution. As we prepare to open our doors this week, I feel his legacy as I walk the halls of the museum. The building reflects his facility plan. The business plan he and the project team created in 2012 are still an arms-length away from me at my desk. He helped us define our then nascent institution with an institutional plan that codified our vision and mission. And he was such a pleasure to work with—kind, thoughtful, supportive, encouraging. Barry, you have left a lasting legacy. God bless.

ZeeAnn Mason
Philadelphia

Dear Gail,

I read with sadness the news of Barry passing away. I wanted to offer my condolences to you. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to lose a lifetime partner such as Barry. We were very lucky to have him involved in the early reviews of the plans for the new Design Museum in London. His expertise stood us in good stead for what came next. We opened on 24 November and since then have welcomed nearly 400,000 visitors.

Deyan and I are with you in thought.

Kind regards,

Alice Black, Director, The Design Museum
London

I had the honor of working with Barry during my half-a-year employment at Lord. I never forget the way we first talked on the phone as a part of my interview for about more than an hour; his enthusiasm in sharing his extensive knowledge right then and there left me in awe and painted my solid respect to him and his firm. Throughout my employment he never hesitated to provide guidance through detailed and informative responses. His leadership and mentor role gave me confidence in applying my mostly theoretical knowledge into museum planning practice.

His place in the cultural planning world is surely irreplaceable; his compassion, generosity and responsiveness will always be remembered.

Ipek Kaynar Rohloff
West Orange, New Jersey

I met Barry my first day at LCR in Toronto, and I will never forget how welcoming and approachable he was throughout my time there, always willing to share knowledge and insights from projects. I still remember many of the incredibly helpful things he taught me, like how to write a proper business email and how to hold an engaging meeting, but more importantly, how to build an amazing team, encourage creativity and innovation, and celebrate hard work. I am very sad to hear of his passing. His thoughts and innovations have already influenced a generation of cultural professionals, and I know his legacy is in exceptional hands with the LCR team. I feel so fortunate to have gotten a chance to know him.

Marianne Williams
Edmonton

I am writing to express our deepest sorrow for the news regarding Barry's passing. Both Elina and myself deem ourselves fortunate for having had the privilege of spending an engaging evening with Gail and Barry a couple of years ago, talking about his recent book, and benefiting from his ideas, insight and flair. As someone working in the field of museums, I feel compelled to add my highest appreciation for Barry's seminal contribution to the field, as regards both much needed systematization of museological knowledge and innovative praxis - the two being ever so cogently related in his work. Please accept our most sincere condolences and warm sympathy for your loss.

Costis Dallas
Toronto

I was saddened to hear about Barry. From Westfield Village (where I met Barry and Gail) to a global and successful business - what an accomplishment. I also enjoyed and used the many books / chapters of books that Barry contributed to. Always cheerful, optimistic and very insightful, Barry will be missed in the museum community. As a team, Barry and Gail made an impact on the strengthening of museums through building, renewing, revitalizing institutions and making a huge impact on the success of the community as a whole. Thank you! Thinking about you Gail and your family.

Marilynn Havelka
Hamilton

The death of Barry Lord (“Museum Planner was a true pioneer”, 24/03/17), marked the passing of a true cultural visionary. Indeed, Mr. Lord may have been one of Canada’s greatest arts and cultural leaders certainly within the museum and gallery field. During my years as administrator and internship coordinator for the museum studies program at the University of Toronto, I placed numerous interns with Lord Cultural Resources where they were always warmly welcomed as colleagues on their journey to becoming museum and gallery professionals employed by flagship institutions within Canada and beyond. Barry and Gail Dexter Lord are a national and international success story, the likes of which we seldom see.

Robin Breon

Robin Breon
Weston

I joined LORD in 1998, a curious and creative (perhaps a little impulsive) museum professional that wanted to make a difference. Over the next 7 years I benefited tremendously from Barry's experience, expertise and above all kindness. Barry always had an eye out for the future of museums. Every young professional that came through LORD presented an opportunity for him to cultivate the next generation of directors, curators and educators to be thought leaders, advocates, and critical and strategic thinkers. My success today as an arts and culture professional is rooted in my experiences at LORD with Barry, Gail, Ted and Kathleen. Adieu, dear friend and teacher. You will be missed, but your legacy will live on in others.

Shellie Williams
Silver Spring

Gail,

I was so sorry to hear about Barry’s passing. What an incredible man and such a thought leader in the museum world. He will be so missed for his professional leadership and for you as a partner, in every way. Please accept our condolences from all of us here at CAF.

Lynn Osmond, Chicago Architecture Foundation
Chicago

Barry's influence on the museum field worldwide through his writing, research, thinking, questioning, probing and demands for rigor were so profound that it is difficult to summarize, grasp or begin to comprehend what he brought to the flowering of cultural institutions around the world. How amazing that his legacy will live on in the lives of so many people who visit, participate in and benefit from all the good work around the globe.

Marjorie Schwarzer
San Francisco, CA

I did not know Barry as well as I would have liked to.
Barry was always warm and friendly, and always willing to share what he knew.
I learned from Barry, there are more benefits to sharing what you know with others then holding on to it.
I thank Barry for his years of trust, friendship, and shared wisdom.
Gail and family, my most sincere condolences.

James Hungerford
Grand Rapids

Barry taught at Conestoga College in 1969. I was a young student, typical of that time and place. Barry was only a few years older than most of his students but so much more open, positive, energetic and forward looking. He was a wonderful teacher.....kind, generous, encouraging. I have often thought of him over the years. Thank you, Barry.

Sandra Barton
Edmonton

Dear Gail
Just knew this morning that Barry passed away, please accept my sincere condolences. I'm truly saddened by this loss, I worked very closely with him on the BDL Money Museum and other projects, I learned a lot from him and he was always available to help and assist.
May God bless his soul.

Samir Nicolas SADDI
Cairo, Egypt

During the time I worked at Lord Cultural Resources I was impressed and inspired by Barry's integrity, intelligence and enthusiasm. Barry was a powerful positive force in the museum world, and I will miss hearing his latest ideas about culture. My condolences to Gail and family and to everyone at Lord Cultural Resources.

Brenda Taylor
Brockville

Dear Gail and the rest of the Lord family, I was so sorry to hear of Barry's passing. I don't think I ever had the privilege of meeting him, but I have long been in awe of the passion, commitment and intelligence that he and Gail have invested in their clients, their company and the cultural sector as a whole, and the sense of joy and excitement they brought to every project. It must hurt like hell to lose him.

Susan B Rothschild
New York

Dear Gail,
I was so sorry to hear about Barry's passing, throughout my career he has always been a wonderful resource with words of wisdom, encouragement and insight - a big loss for you and the museum world.
Thinking of you and your family, my heartfelt condolences.

Shelley Falconer, Art Gallery of Hamilton
Hamilton

Dear Gail and the LCR team past and present:

Like everyone, I'm truly saddened by the loss of Barry. But, I'm also grateful to have known him and to have been a part of Lord Cultural Resources. I'm thinking of you all.

Joseph Banh
Toronto