Remembering Dr. Lynn “Barry” Lutz
A celebration of life will be held this Friday, Aug. 29, at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park in Sebastopol
Dr. Lynn “Barry” Lutz, beloved father and longtime Sebastopol resident and town optometrist, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Barry was born in Milford, Massachusetts, in 1941. He grew up in Hopedale, Massachusetts, graduated from Hopedale High School in 1959, and went on to earn a degree from the Massachusetts College of Optometry in 1964. In 1969, Barry moved to Sebastopol with his then-wife, Geraldine, taking over an optometry practice from a retiring local doctor. He made Sebastopol home for his growing family, building over 50 years and creating a legacy of community service, dedication to his patients, and devotion to his children.
Dr. Barry Lutz was a cornerstone of the Sebastopol community. You could often find him zipping down Gravenstein Highway in one of his Mustang convertibles or Mini Cooper, top down, as he headed to a tennis game or a Kiwanis Club meeting. His conversations were always marked with laughter—his smile and trademark belly laughs were some of his most defining characteristics. He loved his career as an optometrist, engaging with Sebastopol residents, learning about their lives and hobbies, and helping to correct their vision with stylish glasses or the newest contact lenses. Through his longtime service with the Kiwanis Club, he founded Sebastopol’s July 3rd Fireworks Show. His vision was to provide locals with their own celebration—complete with music, food, and community spirit—and scheduled on a day that wouldn’t conflict with Santa Rosa’s Fourth of July fireworks display.
Barry embraced life with passion, living a life defined by his dedication to an active lifestyle. He played tennis daily—during lunch hours in Sebastopol or weekends in Guerneville, with beers and stories with friends afterward. An avid cyclist, he treasured riding through the landscapes of Healdsburg and Sebastopol and throughout the US and Europe later in life. Equally cherished were weekly winter weekends skiing with his children in North Lake Tahoe. He often skied through whiteout conditions, first and last on the mountain, with his children in tow. When they complained about the cold, he would laugh and quip, “You gotta be tough!”
His love for music shone through daily piano playing. His children were accustomed to waking up and falling asleep to the sound of him playing the piano, his most treasured musical instrument.
Though Barry had many hobbies and civic engagements, his greatest joy and pride came from spending time with his children. He treasured every moment with his four daughters and “1” son. A man of unwavering optimism, Barry encouraged his children to smile every day, reminding them “the sun will always come up tomorrow. “Here we are,” he would say during family gatherings—embodying his gratitude for present moments together.
One of his favorite songs was “What a Wonderful World,” a song that celebrates the beauty and goodness of the world, finding joy in everyday things like a beautiful day and the laughter of children. It’s a message of hope and appreciation for life, especially during times of difficulty. This song perfectly embodies his extraordinary optimism, loving nature, and enduring humanity.
Barry is survived by his five children, Allyson, Jennie, Brian, Amy, and Sarah-Kate; seven grandchildren, Kyle, Katy, Aiden, Wellesley, Violet, Logan and Perry; and brothers Donald and Bruce Lutz.
The memorial service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11am, at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Sebastopol, California. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Folk Farm Music School to honor Barry’s love of music and his dedication to the local Sebastopol community.
Barry was a lovely man, was my optometrist, neighbor, and friend.