Deceased Members–2003

In Memory of Mitchell L. Barlas

Mitchell L. Barlas, ASA, MAAA, EA, passed away on September 6, 2003. He was born on December 2, 1951 in New York.

Barlas received his bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Tufts University in 1973 and qualified as an associate of the SOA the following year. After beginning his actuarial career at the Equitable Life Assurance Society, he moved to Boston in 1975 to work for the firm of Johnson & Higgins as a consulting actuary. His next career move took him to the Boston law firm of Ropes and Gray, where he founded the firm's Benefits Consulting Group in 1985. He joined the Boston office of Buck Consultants as a principal in 1996 and remained there until the time of his death. He was a past president of the Actuaries Club of Boston and served as a member of the retirement board of the Town of Natick, Mass., where he resided.

Colleagues remember Barlas as a man of firm convictions, who inspired strong loyalty in employees and clients. He is particularly remembered for the remarkable determination and continued attention to professional duties during the course of the illness that ultimately ended his life.

Barlas is survived by his wife Sherrie, his son Matthew, his daughter Jessica, his grandson Zachary Ian, his brother Stephen, his sister Dorie and his parents, Benjamin and Rena.