Barry Lee Finkelstein

Celebrating the Life of

Barry Lee Finkelstein

With full hearts and deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, the family of Barry Lee Finkelstein shares that Barry passed away on December 28, 2025, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Born on February 25, 1953, in Baltimore, Maryland, Barry filled the world with kindness, generosity, laughter, and a joyful spirit that touched everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Barry approached life with warmth, curiosity, and a genuine interest in the people he loved. His smile, quick wit, and easygoing nature made others feel welcome and valued. He had a remarkable gift for connection and an instinctive way of showing up for others—always ready to listen, learn, and support.

A Life Built on Curiosity, Integrity, and Heart

A proud graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Barry built a distinguished career as a mechanical engineer defined by technical excellence, leadership, and mentorship. In 1983, he co-founded RMF (Ross Murphy Finkelstein) alongside partners Jack Ross and Ed Murphy, helping to establish a respected engineering firm grounded in collaboration, integrity, and innovation. Barry took great pride in building RMF and fostering a culture of professional development before selling his interest in the firm in 1994 to continue advancing his career.

Following RMF, Barry moved to Chicago, where he joined Knight A/E, Inc., expanding his technical expertise and leadership experience while mentoring engineers and contributing to complex projects. He later returned to the East Coast, working with CUH2A, a prominent architecture and planning firm based in Princeton, where he contributed to multidisciplinary projects that integrated engineering with thoughtful design and planning.

Barry ultimately settled in Bucks County, where he dedicated 22 years of service to Ballinger Architecture & Engineering in Philadelphia. At Ballinger, he was widely respected as a thoughtful leader, collaborative colleague, and mentor until his retirement in 2023. Throughout his career, Barry remained actively involved with ASHRAE, staying deeply connected to the engineering community while advancing best practices, innovation, and professional mentorship in the field.

A Father Who Showed Up, Learned, and Cheered Loudly

Barry was deeply supportive of each of his children’s endeavors. He was a naturally curious person who made a sincere effort to learn about and engage in his children’s passions—whether academic, athletic, artistic, or social. He didn’t just encourage the sidelines; he leaned in fully.

A perfect example of this was his love for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT)—a passion he only discovered after one of his children began playing soccer. From that point on, Barry became an enthusiastic supporter and a great coach, especially Carrie Jan and Ethan, offering guidance, encouragement, and countless moments of connection on and off the field.

A Love for the Arts, Culture, and Shared Experiences

Barry had a deep appreciation for the arts and culture. Alongside his wife, Rita, he made sure their children were exposed to a wide range of experiences—from museums, musicals, films, and live performances to diverse musical genres and classic and modern art. Barry loved attending shows and exhibits with Rita and sharing those experiences with their children, instilling in them curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Though Barry couldn’t carry a tune, he loved to whistle. His cheerful whistling often drifted through the house, the office, and even the car—a familiar sound that made every place feel like home and continues to live on in memory.

A Life of Adventure, Outdoors, and Tradition

Barry loved the outdoors—not merely as a hobby, but as a way of life. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, golfer, skier, hiker, and photographer. He found joy hiking through National Parks, skiing in Vail, sailing in Maine, deep-sea fishing, and exploring new places with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Barry had a lifelong love of golf and was always ready to play. He often kept his golf clubs in the car, eager to check out new courses wherever his travels took him. Just as easily, he was always ready to fish or hunt—saying yes to adventure whenever it presented itself.

Barry passed down his love for the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens to his children, taking his family to many games over the years and sharing the excitement, traditions, and memories that came with cheering for his hometown teams.

He also passed down his love for golf, hunting, and fishing to his two sons, Michael and Ethan, taking yearly trips with his boys and close friends to the Eastern Shore and teaching them to fall in love with the outdoors. Whether it was proudly watching both of his sons make their high school varsity golf and lacrosse teams, helping them harvest their first deer, or celebrating their first yellowfin tuna and marlin, Barry built a legacy of shared experiences his children will cherish and remember forever.

Barry also found lasting friendship through the clubs and organizations that reflected his lifelong passions. He was a proud member of the Yardley Country Club and Cripple Creek Golf and Country Club, where many meaningful rounds were shared with family and friends. His love for the outdoors extended well beyond the golf course through his involvement with the Lower Toby Sportsman Club, M&M Hunting Preserve in New Jersey, and Muddy Bottom Outfitters—places where camaraderie, tradition, and shared adventure deepened bonds that meant so much to him.

Barry especially treasured traveling cross-country with his children, turning long drives into cherished adventures. With music playing in the car, laughter filling the space, and conversations unfolding mile by mile, those road trips became some of the family’s most beloved memories.

One of Barry’s most cherished traditions was spending time in the Outer Banks—a place that brought the entire family together for decades. Those trips created a lifetime of happy memories filled with laughter, shared meals, long conversations, and moments of togetherness that strengthened family bonds year after year.

A Home Filled with Love, Laughter, and Connection

Barry loved to cook and was known as the ultimate grill master for family and friends. Whether barbecuing, grilling, or preparing meals from scratch, his food brought people together—just as he did.

He shared a beautiful, deeply loving partnership with his wife, Rita Nowak Finkelstein. Rita and Barry were rarely seen without holding hands, watching sunsets, and sharing vacations with family and friends at their mountain home in the Poconos or their beach home in Delaware.

Barry also adored his Golden Retrievers, who were constant companions and a source of comfort, joy, and unconditional love.

Family, Friendship, and a Generous Heart

Barry is survived by his beloved wife, Rita Nowak Finkelstein; his children, Michael and his wife, Mariah; Leigh; Carrie Jan; and Ethan Finkelstein; his sister, Ilona Morris, and brother-in-law, Earl Morris; and many nieces and nephews who adored him.

Above all, Barry was someone who was always there for a friend in need. His generosity was steady, his loyalty unwavering, and his compassion genuine.

Barry now rejoins his parents, Eli and Carrie Chomet Finkelstein, and his sister Ida Finifter resting in eternal peace.

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives.

When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

— Clarence the Angel, It’s a Wonderful Life

A Love Letter from Rita to Barry

Barry & Rita loved…

Holding hands

Go-carts and bowling

Their first camping trip in Maine

Watching sunrises and sunsets

Golden Retrievers by their side

A Grand Canyon helicopter ride

Their beautiful wedding day

Their four children

Date nights

Concerts

Museums and sporting events

Eating crabs

Cooking and baking together

Fishing at the Outer Banks

Spring break adventures

Yosemite National Park

Skiing Mont Tremblant

Upgrades to first class

Watching their children grow

Weekends, birthdays, and holidays in the Poconos

Sharing their lives together—always.

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The Professional Legacy of Barry Lee Finkelstein

https://www.ballinger.com/insights/barry-finkelstein-retires-from-ballinger/