Top Shelf Todd Stories
Jake Harris and Rachel Slusky
One of the most wonderful times we spent with Todd was at the National Polo Championship in Wellington. Rachel and I had never seen a polo match before, nor were we seeking one out, but we knew that we were in for a treat because we were going to be spending time with Todd. Upon arriving, Todd was waiting for us outside the gate of the club waving us in, making us feel like honored guests. Hospitality and warmth were two striking things about Todd that gave us such distinct pleasure and happiness. We were and still are in absolute awe of the way Todd was able to make us feel.
After we got inside, we were shown an exquisite buffet of every food you could imagine. Todd talked to us about how the game worked, the history of the teams, and who the owners were. He shared that while he was not initially into polo, when he and Deb joined the club, he became more and more interested and invested.
Shortly after the match began, the skies opened up and that was it, the rest of the match had to be canceled. We were able to walk onto the field in the pouring rain. We still look at the pictures from that day, soaked by the rain, smiling with Todd. It will always bring us back to that moment of immense joy. No one ever made us feel as special and valued as Todd did. No matter who you were, whether you were the custodian or the CEO, he looked you in the eye, shook your hand, and gave you the feeling that you mattered because he genuinely felt you did.
After the rained out polo match. We sat in a private cabana next to the pool and watched as many stopped in to pay homage to the great TB. As bottle after bottle of veuve cliquot was brought out, Rachel and I kept asking one another, how did we become so lucky to be here with this person who brings the world such unparalleled joy, just by being him? We still ask ourselves that as we remember Todd's warmth.
Eventually, Deb joined us as the sun had just about set. We all sat around the rain soaked pool deck, sipping champagne, sharing laughs. Living life in a way that most only dream of. When we think back to the greatest times of our lives, and the most important people, Rachel and I will always remember that night with Todd and Deb. We love you Todd. We will never forget you.
Julie Khanna
There I was, like a sitting duck, dreadfully awaiting my turn to introduce myself.
I was pretty young. About 26 years old- an already retired nurse, stay-at-home mother of three, and the wife of a local doctor. Beyond that, I didn't have a lot else about who I was, nor did I have much experience beyond my home.
Yet here I was, sitting around the boardroom table of a Boys and Girls Club meeting, helping to plan their annual dinner dance. I reached a point where I needed something bigger than my home to contribute to. Sitting there amongst professionals, I wondered how I would introduce myself. Do I say I'm the doctor's wife? A mom? Would they take me seriously as a stay-at-home parent? At that moment, the only thing I wanted to be was invisible.
My time to speak was impending, but to my relief, was interrupted when the door flew open. In walked a man that everyone knew. He was like a Superstar! Commanded the room's attention before ever saying a word. Everyone smiled, quipped some good banter, and he took his seat, single-handedly changing the entire room's atmosphere!
And me? I liked this guy already! He didn't know it, but he saved my day! No one cared about introductions anymore, and they certainly didn't care about me.
Todd's arrival was the missing piece of the puzzle. He had all the answers, and I watched as he propelled the meeting forward with enthusiasm, giving one solution at a time.
I was content, feeling tremendous relief at dodging the spotlight, and continued to observe everyone's dynamics while learning the landscape quietly. The meeting continued passionately, with ideas bouncing around, supported by lots of experience and history sitting at the table.
I was almost a fly on the wall in a room of zealous people and just about to get away with flying under the radar when, to my absolute panic, Todd noticed my new face. He stopped mid-sentence to say a giant hello from all the way across the table and asked me who I was. Everyone seemed to follow his lead and it felt like they turned to hear my answer in slow motion, haha!
Even though my world stopped for a second, that was also the moment I learned you would never get left behind in Todd's presence– even if you tried. To know him was to have his unwavering support, concern, and generosity, and he simply wouldn't let you be forgotten. He looked out for his people hard.
From there, our friendship would spend many more years on dance floors, in committee meetings, with our families, events, galas, concerts, house parties, and eventually the chemo room.
Over those years, I had some life changes, including a divorce, which led me to go part-time back to work a few days a week.
One busy afternoon, I walked out to the waiting room to call my next patient. I felt a flash of concern grasp my body when I opened the door. My body came to a dead stop before automatically turning around to retreat to the storage closet– a place that nurses often visited when we needed to gather ourselves.
They were out there.
My dear friends Todd and Deb…in the waiting room of the oncology office.
I spent a few moments reflecting on what I just saw. Usually, I could tell which one in a couple was the patient in a matter of seconds. After doing this for so many years, you come to learn the subconscious, nonverbal clues of where people are on their cancer journey and who was the patient.
But this time, I couldn't tell.
Their body language enmeshed, and I'll never forget how they were both turned in toward one another. Both of them looked equal parts worried, matched with brave face. Both seemed at peace in each other's company and ready for whatever must be done.
I went out to speak to them that day— a day that would mark the very beginning of the most human, admirable, selfless, courageous paths of hope, love, and legacy I've ever had the honor of witnessing—a path where Todd and Deb equitably stayed committed to caring for one another by any means necessary.
Todd lit up every room he ever walked into, including the chemo room. He was a pillar of strength and encouragement to others; and even in the chair, he always looked out for everyone else. I even remember him asking me if I was okay just before accessing his port because he knew it wasn’t easy for me to give chemo to my friend.
Todd changed so many lives for the better including mine. He taught me life lessons I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else. From the boardroom to the chemo room, everywhere in between, and everywhere beyond, Todd’s influence, character, valiancy, kindness and legacy will continue to encourage me to be a better version of myself than the day before, and will challenge me not to let the weight of life compromise kindness.
Live. Give. Love.
Jacob Lieberman
Hi I shared most of my time with Todd in the fraternity days at UF. He was always so happy and joking. I actually consider myself pretty amped in the happy camp but Todd had no equal. I would go to his loft room often and he would share a lot of experiences with Berman and Karp among others.
Years passed and we did meet up at the Admirals Club a few years ago where he took me to lunch in West Palm , we shared a few messages. I was not even close to his inner group of friends but he always gave me that 'great friend' vibe. I was very saddened to learn of his passing and I see he did not share condition with me. I saw the auctioneer website and was like 'that is so Todd' He certainly did live his life well and I believe his passing has given me some passion as well to seek and experience happy events. I imagine there are others like me that were not even in an inner group of friends with him that still were greatly positively impacted by him, I doubt that is a common thing.
Kevin Shapiro
Todd enjoyed giving & providing way more than he enjoyed receiving. It was evident in everything he did. He lit up when he would deliver an experience, a party, a gift or a helping hand. On many occasions I was the recipient of his kind gestures.
As a University of Colorado alum, I have had very little to be excited about for a couple decades related to C.U. Football. Just a horrific product being put out on the field year after year. Then Coach Prime, Neon Deion Sanders, made the monumental move to coach my beloved Golden Buffaloes. This was a huge deal for me. Todd was fully aware of the fair weather fanfare sweeping the nation and his friend Kevin’s hope of actually having a good college football team, finally, maybe. In true Todd fashion, literally fashion, he decided to purchase me a black shirt with gold writing upon it which simply states, “IT’S PRIME TIME IN BOULDER”. I really like the shirt and wear it often. But I loved the gesture. It wasn’t my birthday, Hanukkah, or Valentine’s Day. He just knew it would make me happy so he got me a gift. Todd was excited about gifting it to me so he texted me a picture of the shirt being held up by his T-Shirt model. In the picture all you can see is the fingers holding the shirt and they look more like Debs fingers than Todd’s unless he had some nail polish on. So, she had seemingly been recruited to take part in this gifting process.
One can really make an impact on another with a kind gesture. Todd thrived on these gestures. I will wear the shirt whether the Buffs win or lose because it is a great reminder of being selfless like our amazing friend Todd, nail polish or not.
Brent Kirstein
Todd
2024 was the year the world lost one of the best individuals it ever created. Todd Barron’s unparalleled energy and passion for life experiences shaped everyone in his atmosphere and the memories created will last for eternity. I first met Todd in 2012 and to me, he was a true friend, a warrior and example of unlimited greatness.
There are so many thoughts that come to mind when remembering Todd and I will begin this story at the inception of our friendship. We first met in 2012 when I moved to Florida and was at a low point in my life. I had just went through a divorce, my dog passed away and I was adapting to living in a new state. We were introduced at a party by a mutual friend and Todd instantly made me feel welcome into a new group of people. Looking back on memories it’s clear that Todd had a profound effect on my life with illustrating what happiness should look like.
Todd had the ability to make everyone laugh and be the life of the party but was also one of the most intelligent and serious people that I know. It’s cliche to say - but he walked the fine line between work hard play hard. One of the things we had in common was event planning and Todd had mastered it every single time, with securing hard to get reservations and booking amazing vacations and experiences for his friends and family.
I have so many fond memories of our friendship, one of them was at Sapori in Boca Raton August 2014; we had a dinner with 5 couples at and at the time there was a social media trend called the ice bucket challenge to promote awareness for ALS. After an amazing dinner we went outside and despite it being a freezing 50 degrees in Florida, Todd convinced the server to dump a bucket filled with ice cold water on him. Looking back on it, I could not imagine how uncomfortable the 45 minute soaking wet ride home to Wellington must have been, but Todd lived for the moment.
Another memory was our June 2017 group trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley. Todd planned the best itinerary of known wineries, hidden gems and amazing restaurants. This was a special trip for me not only because of the company but also because I leaned my wife Sharon was pregnant with our first child. I remember Todd giving me a big hug and telling me that fatherhood is the best gift any man can receive. To cherish every moment and be sure that my children know how much I loved them.
Over the 12 years that I knew Todd there were so many fun nights like dinners @ Sunset Sushi and special events at Mar-a-lago. The last trip we took together was in September 2022 and I was felt so blessed to
host Todd at the Rams vs Bills game @ Sofi Stadium in LA. Despite having to walk almost a mile with a prosthetic leg, he never complained. This was yet another explain of the mental discipline and strength that Todd possessed.
When I think of how to best articulate to his daughters Sarah and Lilah how much their father meant to his friends it’s hard to put into words. Ultimately there is not enough that can be said about his character and impact to the world. We should all aspire to be half the man that Todd Barron was. He was proud, humble, dignified and majestic. He was a bright star and I will always cherish our friendship. Love you bro
