Barry Quanstrom

Barry Quanstrom, a cherished husband, father, and brother, passed away due to heart failure at the end of this May in Sun City, AZ at the age of 82. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Julie, his son Eric, his daughter Nissa, his younger sister Sheryl, and his younger brother Brad. Barry was born and raised in San Francisco, where he attended public schools and graduated from Balboa High School. After high school, he honorably served in the Navy, stationed in Hawaii as a radar technician and trainer. Upon discharge, he returned to San Francisco to further his education at Heald Business College and UC Berkeley, earning a diploma in Computer Science. His professional journey led him to various Bay Area companies, where he designed software tailored to their unique needs. His time at KRON TV afforded him the opportunity to interact with a diverse set of individuals, including political leaders, businessmen, sports personalities, and community activists. Known for his gregarious nature and curious mind, he relished these encounters. After leaving KRON TV, his entrepreneurial leanings kicked in and he opened a computer software store in Hayward, CA. As he further developed his expertise, he became a sought-after computer consultant for numerous businesses. As a father, Barry demonstrated exceptional aptitude in guiding, loving, and supporting his two children, both of whom have since flourished, earning college degrees and forging successful careers in technology and photo styling. He will be fondly remembered for his endless enthusiasm in fostering his children's pursuits, cultivating in them a lifelong passion for learning and intellectual exploration. As a husband, Barry embodied the essence of a devoted partner for nearly six decades. His profound affection for Julie was unwavering; his jovial, warm nature was abundantly clear to anyone in a room with him. He was a gentle, compassionate, and steadfast pillar of support, the epitome of a loving spouse. Barry was an avid sports enthusiast, refereeing junior high and senior high school baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball games in the cities where he lived and worked for over 50 years. He was a die-hard SF sport fan, bleeding the Giants, 49ers and Warriors colors his entire life. When arthritis began to affect his quality of life, doctors recommended a drier climate, leading him to move to Sun City in 2011. Even in retirement, he continued his love of sports, refereeing baseball and volleyball games in his new community. He also had a passion for golf, particularly enjoying the many courses and favorable climate in Arizona. Barry will be remembered for his signature Barry-Bear hugs, his memorable laugh and boundless energy. His passion for life, which fueled his co-raising of a family, participation in sports, and production of many computer programs with wide-ranging applications won't be forgotten. He was dearly loved and will be profoundly missed.