In memory of Barry Culhane — veteran, community volunteer, and RIT administrator

Barry Culhane, who served the nation, Rochester community, and Rochester Institute of Technology for more than five decades, died unexpectedly Sunday in Estero, Fla. He was 76.

Mr. Culhane helped establish the Veterans Day Breakfast at RIT several years ago as a way to honor veterans and active service military members of the community and their families. He attended this year’s event on Friday before flying to Florida on Saturday.

He recently retired from RIT after a 47-year career. He was best known for serving as executive assistant to RIT Presidents Albert Simone, William Destler, and David Munson, providing counsel and support.

A native of Rochester, Mr. Culhane served as a medic in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. When he returned to civilian life, he wanted to remember and support those veterans and spearheaded a 10-year effort to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester, which was erected in 1996 in Highland Park.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Windsor and his doctorate in Education from the University of Rochester.

He began his career at RIT in 1974 as a research associate for the division of integrated educational programs for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. He later became department chair for general education programs, and then associate dean. He became assistant vice president for RIT Campus Life and later returned to teach at NTID. In 1993, Mr. Culhane became RIT’s first student ombudsman.

“Barry was drawn to education because of his love for teaching and working with students,” said his wife, Christine Licata, vice provost for Academic Affairs at RIT. “He always said that students kept him young and contemporary. He believed in the potential of the next generation teacher and used every opportunity to be a positive influence on the students he came in contact with.”

In 2004, Mr. Culhane received the RIT Four Presidents Award for Distinguished Public Service. He also served as advisor to the Computer Science House, NTID Student Congress, and served on RIT’s United Way Steering Committee.

RIT President David Munson, who hosted a retirement party for Mr. Culhane on Oct. 27, called him a “colossal personality” who was given projects because he would make them happen.

Retired RIT President Albert Simone agreed, calling him “one-of-a-kind,” who made positive impacts for so many. Whatever a project needed to be done, he said Mr. Culhane was “the catalyst” who made them happen.

“Barry has been a close and valued friend, colleague, confidant, advisor, an organizer,” Simone said. “A person who, while I served as president, was always by my side, had my back, and was often the point of the spear.”

Mr. Culhane is credited for helping create the Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival, which has brought tens of thousands of visitors to campus each spring since 2008.

“Bill Destler had been president of RIT for just two months when he called me into his seventh-floor office and threw out an idea as expansive as the campus sprawling below us,” Mr. Culhane wrote in Imagine This. “What did I think about holding an annual community event to showcase the “left” and “right” brain talents of our students, faculty, and staff members?”

The two tossed ideas until they settled on a community focused, family-friendly, free event with emphasis on the best RIT has to offer: technical innovations as well as those in visual and performing arts.

“Barry deserves mountains of credit for the way his team doggedly pursued the details for starting up Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation festival,” Destler said. “He generated tremendous enthusiasm and pride among students, faculty, and staff. Imagine RIT is now a galvanizing force for innovative and creative work at RIT.”

Mr. Culhane’s service to community organizations was extensive, through volunteering or being on their boards, including Hope Hall, the Al Sigl Center, Upstate New York Multiple Sclerosis Society, Junior Achievement, and Rochester Rotary, where he served as president.

Mr. Culhane’s achievements, awards and recognitions were also extensive, and included being grand marshal of the Rochester St. Patrick’s Day Parade, to having “Barry Culhane Day” celebrated in Rochester and Monroe County.

He was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame and received the Outstanding Service Award from the Vietnam Veterans of America. He received NTID’s National Advisory Group Outstanding Service Award, and RIT’s Lifetime Service Award. He also was recipient of the Angel of the Year award from multiple sclerosis and inducted into the Gates Chili High School Hall of Fame

On Oct. 28, Mr. Culhane was featured as a “Bright Spot” by fellow Rotarian Don Alhart, anchor at 13WHAM News.

“I had a fun time at RIT,” Mr. Culhane said. “I worked hard, but I loved being with students. What a great community Rochester is, and I’m so glad I was born here and got to work here all my life.”

Along with his wife, Mr. Culhane is survived by daughters Katie B. Culhane of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Cari T. Culhane of Cornelius, N.C.; siblings; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are pending and being arranged by Miller Funeral Home in Rochester. The RIT flag will be flown at half staff at that time.