Barnabas Gebre-Hawariat

Barnabas was born in Asmara, Eritrea on February 4, 1936 to his mother Mamet Haile and father Gebre Hawariat Okbalidet. He was the last child and had 8 siblings. Barnabas departed this life on August 20th, 2022 in Alexandria, VA. Barnabas spent his early childhood in Asmara and moved to Dessie, Wollo to pursue middle-school education. He relocated to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1950 to join his two brothers and completed his high-school education at Menelik High School. He completed his higher education in business administration at the School of Commerce. Barnabas married Tigist Gebre Eyessus in 1961 and they had four children; Fesseha, Lydia, Tedla and Elilta. He held a variety of positions starting with the National Airline Training Program in the 60s, as well as hotel administration and eventually working for the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture as a General Administrator. Barnabas’ ultimate passion was the liberation of Eritrea and he was involved in pursuing its independence for three decades. In 2005, Barnabas moved to the United States to join his wife in New York City. While in New York, he worked for the Department of Senior Programs and Services until they moved to Virginia in 2017. Barnabas was an intellectual and dedicated his life to reading, researching and writing about the historical and political aspects of the Eritrean, Italian and Ethiopian relationship dating back to the 1800s. His thirst for knowledge and history also extended to documenting his father’s role in spreading the Lutheran presence from a spiritual perspective as well as providing political context during the transition of Eritrea. Barnabas was also the family historian and compiled an extensive family tree going back 20 generations, a lasting legacy for his family in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe and the United States. Barne’, as his family and friends loved to refer to him, will be remembered for his kindness as well as genius and was the “favorite” uncle to most. He loved music and played the piano. His sense of humor was unrivaled and he was always the life of the party due to his intellect and quick wit. Most will remember him as the person who always kept in touch, wrote them hand-written letters and cards (which often times would include a lottery ticket). Barne’ was a meticulous record-keeper and collected hundreds of family pictures and memoirs for those he leaves behind. His patriotism and love for his birthplace, Eritrea, never left him no matter which part of the world he resided in. He always said that he wanted to end up where his life started. He also hoped and dreamed that there will be peace and harmony between Ethiopia and Eritrea. So as we bid Barne’ good-bye and take him to his final resting place, Adi-Kontsi, the birthplace of his ancestors and the heritage he was so proud of, we know his life is now complete. Those left to treasure his many memories include his wife Tigist, children Fesseha, Tedla and Elilta as wells as his many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends spanning the globe.

Tributes

Barnabas Gebre-Hawariat

February 4, 1936 - August 22, 2022