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Dear %user.name_f%, 

It is with a very heavy heart that I let you know that Gary Baran died. As of this moment, it is unclear what caused his death. Gary was the executive director of CNVC when I first became involved in NVCA in 1998. He was remarkably generous in his spirit and time, almost always answered his phone when I called which I thought was amazing given all that I imagined he had to do, helped me understand some of the deeper nuances of living an NVC consciousness, and was very jovial. Even though I haven't spoken with him for a few years, I can still vividly remember his laugh and smile. His presence, joy, and deep compassion will be deeply missed!

Below is more information that we received from CNVC. 

We are saddened by the passing of Gary Baran, a widely-known member of the Nonviolent Communication community. Gary became a certified trainer in 1998, and also served as executive director for 8 years (1998-2006), a board member, and a member of the IIT Resource Team. His commitment and service to our mission, and his support and partnership with Marshall Rosenberg, have been invaluable. He helped CNVC become a thriving organization and helped NVC to become more visible and relevant in the world. 

In his own words, Gary lived in service of a vision of “a world in which the needs of all people are honored, in which the abundant resources of our planet are both respected and also flow freely so as to reliably meet those needs, and in which people resolve their conflicts peacefully.” In May 2023, Gary wrote, “NVC and Social Change 6,” sharing his understanding of the potential of Nonviolent Communication to contribute to his vision. 

As executive director, he aimed to connect one-on-one with every certified trainer (around 60 at the time), and engage them in decision-making and active participation. He nurtured the international trainers forum when there was no Facebook or Zoom, which was vital to building the community. 

Among his many contributions to the field, he will certainly be remembered for his widely-used resource, “10 Things You Can Do To Contribute To Internal, Interpersonal, Organizational Peace”. This list provides a clear reflection of Gary’s deep understanding and dedication to the principles of Nonviolent Communication. Gary was a professor of philosophy at Los Angeles City College and worked as a marriage and family therapist for 35 years. 

We extend our condolences to Gary’s wife and two children, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. We remember his kindness, his thoughtful leadership, and the significant difference he made in the world and in the lives of those he touched.

Warmly, CEO and Co-Founder, NVC Academy CNVC Certified Trainer