Barry Anthony Bertani died at home in Flagstaff, Arizona on August 31, 2026. He was 85. A native of San Francisco (go ‘Niners’!), he was raised in Walnut Creek, California, and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in electrical engineering. As an ASU alum, he remained an enthusiastic fan of the Sun Devils’ football and basketball teams. He spent his career as an engineer at Salt River Project, bringing much-needed water and electricity to much of central Arizona. A true engineer, he loved explaining how things work and taught mathematics to grateful students at Mesa Community College. Barry served in the National Guard and was deployed to patrol the streets of Los Angeles during the 1965 L.A. riots. He had many hobbies over the course of his lifetime. He made a mean shrimp scampi and knew his way around the kitchen. A train enthusiast, for many years he would display an impressive model train at Christmas. He threw clay pots and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed golfing, tennis, pickleball, skeet shooting, fishing, waterskiing, snowshoeing, and hiking the San Francisco Peaks and the Colorado Rockies. A lover of wildlife, he spent hours watching the condors of Northern Arizona. He lived most of his life in Mesa, Arizona; upon his retirement, he moved to Flagstaff to, as he would call it “CD ELK”. A lifelong Democrat, he was active in the Coconino County Democrats. In order to secure cutting-edge lab equipment for the engineering students at Northern Arizona University, Barry set up an endowment. He also volunteered at Tynkertopia, a non-profit education program built to nurture scientists and creators of all stripes and ages. Late in life he became fascinated by the “dark skies” and cloud formations. More recently, he found friendship and support in the “Wisdom Seekers” book club of Flagstaff. He was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Isolina Bertani, and his brother, Christopher. He leaves behind his beloved “cowgirl”, Jocelyn Hanson; a niece, Caren Bertani; and a stepdaughter, Jill Lamar. A private service will be held, attended by family. Contributions may be made to https://flagstaffdarkskies.org/donate/.