In loving memory of Barbara Balik
With the passing of my beloved wife Barbara, I am taking a break from writing my bi-weekly Napa Valley Register column for a few weeks. But, the announcement of her passing and a little history of the great things Barbara accomplished for others in her lifetime is appearing in my space (but without my bi-line) on the Food & Wine pages of today’s Napa Valley Register. I invite you to read the comprehensive thoughts about Barbara’s life below in the words of Shelby, Randy and me. Although we endeavored to highlight Barbara’s life in this message, it is only a brief summary as her life and life’s works would fill volumes. I hope you gain some valuable insight by reading our thoughts.
And, if you haven’t seen the video of Barbara’s short but remarkable speech at Winemasters on May 18, here’s the link: https://vimeo.com/973131411. Needless to say, I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch as this was the only time in 35 years that Barbara decided to speak to the audience and what she said made a difference for everyone.
Thank you and please keep Barbara's memory in your thoughts.
Allen
The Cystic Fibrosis community, the California Winemasters community in particular, and countless others are mourning the loss of Barbara Balik, who died peacefully at her home in Napa, CA on June 25, 2024, from complications due to cancer at the age of 77. Barbara was born on April 30, 1947, in Hartford, Connecticut and then moved with her family to Los Angeles in 1960 at the age of 13.
She met her husband, Allen, in the summer of 1966. They married on April 2, 1967, and raised their family in the Los Angeles area, first in Studio City and then in Sherman Oaks. After her children, Shelby and Randy, were grown, she and Allen moved to Napa, CA in 2001, where they have been deeply engaged in the community ever since.
Barbara had a far-reaching legacy, having dedicated her life to helping others through her extensive efforts in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s fundraising endeavors to find a cure for CF, a cause for which she originally had no personal connection. She dedicated more than five decades of her life to the Foundation, first as a volunteer and later as a staff member in the Southern California Chapter, leaving an indelible mark on both the Foundation and the broader CF Community.
Barbara’s passion and dedication were evident in her earliest involvement as a volunteer with the CF Valley Guild, which led to her role securing gifts for the Foundation’s first capital fundraising campaign, and later as The Director for Special Giving. Prior to joining the Foundation staff, Barbara also served as the Executive Vice President for the National Board of Trustees.
In 1990, she and Allen merged her passion for the Foundation with his for wine and created “A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters” at a time when there was no blueprint for charity wine events. Winemasters quickly became a nationally recognized, legendary event, which she put her heart and soul into for over 35 years. Thanks to the support of many, this event has raised nearly $40 million since its inception coupled with millions more she has raised over her career with the Foundation.
Over the years, hundreds of vintners and chefs along with thousands of guests, volunteers and donors from around the world have unselfishly given their time, products and needed dollars. They did all they could because Barbara asked for it – in the cause of others – in a way of making them want to do it. She made each donor feel like they were the most important person in that moment, because to her, they genuinely were. She had a gift that impacted everyone around her, not to mention the thousands upon thousands with CF whom she never met. With this generosity, she helped to extend and save countless lives, all while making each and every donor, volunteer and supporter feel as special as they were. That is just part of her enduring legacy.
Barbara made the surprise decision to take to the stage at the most recent California Winemasters event on May 18th as 1,250 attendees cheered her on. This was something she had never done before. She typically preferred to be in the background rather than be the center of attention. Her voice was shaky, a physical symptom that had started just days prior to the event.
Indeed, she was battling right before everyone’s eyes, but she said what she had to say with grace and all the strength she could muster on her terms, all while bringing the enormous crowd to a hush. Midway during her speech, she said quite simply: “We lose some people, but they are never lost…they’re always with us.” These are Barbara’s words, and truer words have never been spoken as she will always be with us.
When Barbara was not working, she made time to travel all around the world and she was particularly passionate about photography and skiing. She and Allen also loved hosting groups large and small on wine oriented trips and opening their home to their wide circle of friends from near and far. And most of all, she loved being active in the lives of her four grandchildren.
A beloved wife, incredible mother, and a dedicated grandmother, Barbara is survived by her husband, Allen, her younger sister Suzie Clark and younger brother Michael Eisenberg, her daughter Shelby Balik (and son-in-law Bill Philpott), her son Randy Balik (and daughter-in-law Noelle), along with her four adored grandchildren, Carly Philpott (18), Peter Philpott (16), Braden Balik (13), Andrew Balik (9), and of course her treasured beagle, Jazzy.