Barry Allan Kitnick: July 25, 1943 – September 28, 2022

Barry Allan Kitnick passed away in Santa Barbara, California on September 28, 2022, after a long illness. Barry was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 25, 1943. He is survived by his beloved wife Jill, with whom he shared his life for over 45 years; his sons Alexander and Zachary (Daisy); his brothers Steven (Marilyn), Dean (Victoria), and David (Romy). He is also survived by nephews Eric (Kate), Craig (Sophia), and Ben (Shannon), nieces Sara, Emma (Zach), and Abby (Dylan). 

Barry grew up in the San Fernando Valley and graduated from Van Nuys High School; L.A. Valley College, where he earned his Associate of Arts; and San Fernando Valley State College (now CSUN), where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology. Barry then earned his Master of Arts in African Area Studies from UCLA, and then served in the Peace Corps in Liberia in the late 1960s. Upon his return, with his love of art and business acumen, Barry opened Gallery K in West Hollywood, California, where he exhibited African Art. In his early thirties, Barry became one of the youngest Senior Appraisers and world-renowned experts of African Art, and was noted for his ability to recognize “the real thing.” He was also involved with the Fowler Museum of Cultural History at UCLA and contributed to the museum in many ways over the years. 

After seven trips to Vietnam, Barry also amassed a unique collection of shamanistic art that was exhibited at UCSB and ultimately donated to the Fowler Museum at UCLA entitled: How to Make the Universe Right: The Art of the Shaman from Vietnam and Southern China.

Barry will be remembered for the love he shared with his family, his generosity, philanthropy, and sense of humor. He lived an amazing and honorable life. Barry was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Marjorie “Margie,” and his brother Dennis Kitnick. A private memorial will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in Barry’s honor to the Hospice of Santa Barbara, California, Inc. (via www.hospiceofsb.org). May his memory be for a blessing.