Larry Barels, a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, adventurer, and longtime member of Seacology’s board of directors, has passed away at the age of 76. Known for his bold spirit, sharp business acumen, and deep commitment to community, Larry left an indelible mark across industries and causes.

A graduate of BYU with a degree in communications, Larry began his career in advertising before moving into real estate development and eventually co-founding several pioneering companies. Among them, Wavefront Technologies became a groundbreaking force in computer animation, earning an Academy Award and becoming Santa Barbara, California’s first startup to go public in 1994. He later served as Chairman and lead investor at Software.com, which successfully IPO’d in 1999, and co-founded Aqueos Corporation in 2001, a subsea services innovator acquired in 2022.

Larry was also a generous community leader, serving on the board of Seacology for more than a decade from 2001-2014. He also served on the board of the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum and played a key role in establishing a Chair in Tibetan Buddhism at UCSB. He and his beloved wife of 53 years, Wendy, were deeply involved in local philanthropy, supporting dozens of causes including the Santa Barbara Bowl, Heal the Ocean, Domestic Violence Solutions, and Direct Relief International.

 An adventurer at heart, Larry was deeply connected to the ocean and sky. He found joy in surfing (he is pictured above riding a wave with his son and grandson), sailing, diving, and flying—pursuits that reflected his lifelong love of nature, freedom, and discovery. His spirit of exploration shaped not only how he lived, but how he inspired those around him.

Larry is survived by Wendy, their two children, Orion and Tiare, and three grandchildren, Lincoln, Ever, and Remington. He lived life with passion, generosity, and curiosity—leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire all who knew him.

In honor of Larry’s long and impactful service on our board and his love of our ocean, we have dedicated our new project in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Conservation Area to his memory.