Dennis Robert Barbakow

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Dennis Barbakow, 76, of Naples, FL and Atlanta, GA on July 14, 2026. Surrounded by the love of his family, Dennis passed away peacefully following courageous battles with sepsis and advanced kidney disease.

A graduate of Greenbrier Military School (1967) and Concord College (1971), Dennis married Penny Lane in 1972 and they moved to Tuscaloosa, AL, where they pursued graduate studies at The University of Alabama. Dennis completed a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and was employed by Central Alabama Youth Services, where he ran one of the first alternative schools in the country. From there, he joined the Alabama State Department of Mental Health and was responsible for community-based mental health services. During that time, he collaborated on the landmark case Wyatt v. Stickney, regarding the rights of mentally ill patients.

In 1980, Dennis and Penny welcomed their daughter, Erica, and his most satisfying role in life began. He was a very involved father, and never missed a game, a play, or any school activity she was involved in. He took great pleasure in driving carpool and getting to know her friends, many of whom value those relationships to this day. She has sought his advice and valued his guidance throughout her life.

In 1981, Dennis moved to the private sector and joined a psychological consulting firm in New Orleans, where he provided psychological assessments of senior executives for corporate clients. He also established and directed the firm’s Outplacement Counseling division. Following that, he and Penny relocated to Atlanta in 1984 and combined their professional talents to establish Barbakow Associates, Inc., a management consulting practice, specializing in the healthcare sector. Dennis retired in 2001, and he and Penny relocated their home to Naples, FL, where they have loved living and have made wonderful friends. Dennis was a member of Royal Poinciana Golf Club and enjoyed many dinners with friends and social events there.

Dennis had fond memories of traveling through the years with Penny and Erica. They visited many European countries and spent Christmas holidays in warm island climates in the Caribbean and Hawaii. Later in life, he preferred cruising the Mediterranean, Alaska, Europe, and the Greek Isles. His last cruise was down the Danube River and included a number of significant WW II sites, a particular interest of his. Dennis’ two extended visits to Israel were among his most meaningful trips.

Above all else, Dennis cherished his family. He was a devoted husband to Penny, his beloved wife for nearly 55 years. He was a very proud father of Erica who gave him complete and total joy since birth. Nothing brought him greater happiness than being Granddaddy to Erica’s 7 year-old twin daughters, Harper Grace and Charlie Lane. They adored him and every minute spent with him: reading, playing cards and boardgames, swimming in the pool or giving him makeovers, complete with new hair styles, eye shadow, and nail polish. He was game for anything they wanted to do and was such an important presence in their lives. Dennis was always there for his family whether attending special events or providing guidance through life’s challenges, or educational, professional, and family milestones.

He was supremely generous and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a trusted friend, true patriot, valued mentor, fun uncle, and he made every gathering better. His legacy will live on in the values he embodied and the many memories he helped create.

In addition to Penny, Erica (Drew), Harper, and Charlie, Dennis is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Dr. Larry and Bonnie Greenberg, their children, David Greenberg and Julie Greenberg LeBlanc (Brad), and his great-nephews, Alan Greenberg and Steven Greenberg, all of Boston, MA. Dennis is predeceased by his parents, Libby Mervis Barbakow and Yankee Barbakow and his parents-in-law, Dr. Charles Lane, Sr. and Gipsie Oxley Lane, who loved him as their son.

Dennis loved his wife’s family as his own. He is survived by Pam Lane Garner (Don) of Richmond, VA: Pandy Lane Stegmann (Tom) of Atlanta, GA: Dr. Charles Lane, Jr. (Gina) of Athens, WV; and Thea Lane of Staunton, VA. His nieces and nephews include Jeff Garner (Rheanna) of Richmond, VA; Ali Stegmann Turner (Neal) of Atlanta, GA; Jessie Lane (Kyle Mohr) of Washington, DC; Carly Stegmann of Savannah, GA; and Carolyn Lane Johnson (Andrew) of Athens, WV. His great nieces and nephews on the Lane side are Elizabeth and Sawyer Garner and Haven Pacelli of Richmond, VA; Ellie and Madeleine Johnson of Athens, WV; and Eli Turner of Atlanta, GA.

We would like to express profound gratitude to Piedmont Atlanta and The William Breman Jewish Rehabilitation healthcare teams that provided care for Dennis throughout the last several years, but most especially those who saw him through this most recent illness. In particular, Dr. Drew Klein, Erica’s partner, was a true Godsend in his management of Dennis’ care. We are eternally grateful.

A graveside service will be held at Hodges Memorial Gardens in Naples, FL on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 10AM. Honorary Pallbearers are: Dr. Lorin Baumhover of Boone, NC; Dr. Larry Greenberg of Boston, MA; Walter Hale of Nashville, TN; Dr. Charles Lane, Jr. of Athens, WV; Frank Tidikis of Stuart, FL; Hank Greenberg, Chip Harshbarger, Rouddy Menard, Dave Moran, and Dr. Ron Riner, all of Naples, FL; Ted Grodhaus, Tom Kuckelman, Joel Lobel, and Jim Waldron, all of Atlanta, GA.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dennis’ memory to: Simon Wiesenthal Center, 1399 S. Roxbury Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90035 (give.wiesenthal.com) or Pace Academy, 966 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30327 (www.paceacademy.org/support/make-a-gift)