[rpd] In Memoriam: Alan Barrett

[Gbemisola Esho]

Dear all,
In tribute to the departed internet giant, I took a little walk down memory
lane regarding his legacy in the space.
Condolences again to his friends and family; may he rest in peace.

On Fri, May 29, 2026 at 4:56 AM Isatou Jah <isatou.jah at qcell.gm> wrote:

> This is a devastating loss to the community.  Alan was a friend and a
> mentor and I am deeply saddened by this news. He was my instructor in the
> very first Afnog workshop held in Cape Town in 2000 and had impacted great
> knowledge upon the myself and the community at large. He was kind, patient
> yet a strong leader.  May his soul rest in perfect peace and my sincere
> condolences to his family.
>
> Isatou
>
> *From: *Badru Ntege <badru.ntege at nftconsult.com>
> *Date: *Thursday, 28 May 2026 at 2:45 PM
> *To: *Andrew Alston <aa at alstonnetworks.net>; RPD <rpd at afrinic.net>
> *Subject: *Re: [rpd] In Memoriam: Alan Barrett
>
> Dear Andrew, and all,
>
>
>
> Thank you for sharing this heartbreaking news with such care and dignity.
>
>
>
> Alan was indeed a friend of the community. I first met him in Kampala at
> AfNOG 2003, and even then, his passion was unmistakable. He wasn't just
> attending meetings — he was deeply invested in building something that
> would serve the African Internet for decades to come. That commitment never
> wavered.
>
>
>
> Alan was a passionate instructor at every AfNOG and AfriNIC meeting. From
> the early days right up to the last major face-to-face, in-person event in
> Kampala just before COVID, I don't think he missed a single annual
> gathering. His dedication to teaching and mentoring the next generation of
> network engineers across Africa was extraordinary. He showed up year after
> year, not for recognition, but because he believed in the work and in the
> people.
>
>
>
> His kindness, willingness to listen, and quiet strength made him someone
> you could always turn to.
>
>
>
> My deepest condolences to Kerry and all of Alan's family. May they find
> strength and peace in this difficult time.
>
>
>
> Rest in peace, Alan. You will be sorely missed.
>
>
>
> Badru Ntege
>
>
>
> *From: *Andrew Alston <aa at alstonnetworks.net>
> *Date: *Thursday, 28 May 2026 at 3:43 PM
> *To: *RPD <rpd at afrinic.net>
> *Subject: *[rpd] In Memoriam: Alan Barrett
>
>
>
> Dear friends and colleagues,
>
> As some of you will already be aware, it is with immense sadness that we
> confirm, on behalf of his wife Kerry and the family, the passing of Alan
> Barrett. Alan died on May 28th in Cape Town, South Africa, following a
> diagnosis of late-stage cancer about a month ago. We are sharing this
> notice so that the community has accurate information at a moment when
> Kerry and the family need space to grieve.
>
> Alan was a friend, a willing listener, and someone who always stepped up
> to help when called upon. His contributions to the African Internet
> ecosystem were second to none, and with his passing we lose not only a
> friend but a giant of the industry.
>
> In 1990, Alan helped establish the very first Internet connection to South
> African universities, and in 1993 he co-founded the country's first
> commercial Internet Service Provider. In 1997 he co-authored the proposal
> to create AfriNIC and subsequently served on the steering committee tasked
> with bringing it into being. Alan served on the AfriNIC board from 2004 to
> 2009 and was a member of the NRO NC from 2004 to 2014. In 2015 he was
> appointed CEO of AfriNIC, a role he held until 2019.
>
> Beyond Africa, he was a central participant in the IANA Stewardship
> Transition Coordination Group, and until his death served on the ICANN
> board on behalf of the Address Supporting Organisation.
>
> Alan will be sorely missed by the community, his relatives and his wife,
> Kerry.
>
> Kerry and the family ask for privacy at this time. We will be organising
> an online memorial in due course and will share details once they are
> available.
>
> Andrew Alston
> Remco van Mook
>
>
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