Michael Robert Barber
Born to Margaret E. and Robert H. Barber in Berkeley, California, in 1947, Michael grew up in the East San Francisco Bay Area neighborhood of San Lorenzo. Along with his older brother James, he attended San Lorenzo High School, graduating in 1965. Michael continued his education at the University of California Santa Barbara. He played freshman football for the Gauchos and developed a lifetime passion for following favorite football teams.
Michael had great affection for the practice of law. He received his Doctor of Law (JD) from the Santa Barbara College of Law and passed the California Bar in January of 1980. Shortly thereafter, Michael formed the law firm Barber & Gray, LLP, with partner Michael Gray in Santa Barbara, where they handled international clients in trade and industry, international business consultation, and investment monitoring from 1980 to 1999. In 2017, Michael received honors from Martindale-Hubble: Distinguished Attorney – Peer Reviewed for High Professional Achievement and High Ethical Standing.
Michael developed a passionate interest in eastern societies and religions including East Asian, South Asian, and Buddhist religious traditions. In his 60’s, Michael returned to the University of California Santa Barbara in pursuit of knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism and eastern societies. He subsequently earned his Master’s Degree in Buddhist Studies and was named a Dean’s List Scholar. He was a member of the Association of Nepal and Himalayan Studies and a life member of the UCSB Alumni Association. Ever the student, Michael continued study and research in Buddhist and East Asian Studies, and Tibetan Classical Language. In 2021, Michael received a Certificate from Harvard University for his study of the History of China: Bronze Age to the Last Dynasties.
In the mid-1980s, Michael built an observatory in his backyard in the Santa Barbara hills, tracking celestial events, first as a hobby, and later for NASA. Putting his legal acumen to work for pursuits other than litigation, Michael went on to found two international businesses built around his interest in astronomy and photography. He was the co-founder, Director, and Vice-President of SBIG (Santa Barbara Instrument Group, Inc.) from 1989 -2014, designing and manufacturing low noise, thermo-electrically cooled imaging systems. From 2014 to his passing, he was the CEO of Santa Barbara Scientific, LLC, the North America Service Center for QHYCCD scientific cameras, and acted as the Director of Marketing Worldwide for Light Speed Vision (Beijing) Co., Ltd., dba QHYCCD.
Michael felt forever fortunate having met his beautiful wife, Nui Hongthet of Thailand, in Santa Barbara. They married in 2009. Michael formally adopted Nui’s daughter, Jane, as his own, and together the family had many adventures. His international business took Michael and family to many of the eastern countries he had long studied: China, Hong Kong, and Nui’s homeland of Thailand. In 2005 and 2007, Michael, Nui and Jane were honored to personally present H.M. Rama IX, King of Thailand, one of SBIG’s CCD cameras. Michael and Nui received Commendation for Contribution to Scientific Education.
Michael was a man of few words, but when the opportunity arose for a discussion of ideas, cultures, foods, philosophy, or politics, his quick wit and intelligence poured out. He had a kind and humble heart, primarily known by Nui and Jane. Although it may not seem it with the international travel, they thoroughly enjoyed their quiet, simple life. Michael was a devoted, loving husband and a great Dad! He will be deeply missed.
Michael passed away on August 10, 2025, with his devoted wife by his side. He is survived by wife Nui of Santa Barbara and Thailand, his adopted daughter, Jane, niece Sandra K. Chase and nephew David A. Barber.
Michael was preceded in death by his father, Robert, his mother, Margaret, and his older brother, James.
