Randel G. Barnett died Oct. 27. He was 56. Randy was a talented writer, outstanding tennis player, and most proudly, a remarkable husband and father.

Randy grew up in Alexandria, Va., where in high school he starred on the basketball and tennis teams, as well as met his future wife, Nancy. Randy went on to become captain of the Harvard tennis team and receive his graduate degree from the Columbia School of Journalism.

He and Nancy raised their two daughters, Sara and Kate, in Baltimore, Md. There, Randy worked as a freelance writer, specializing in in-depth investigative pieces for Baltimore Magazine, Washingtonian Magazine, and War-field’s Magazine. He also coached his daughters’ sports teams on both the local and national levels.

After living in Fresno, Calif., for five years, Randy and Nancy settled in Falmouth in 2004. He was a member of the Town of Falmouth Tennis Team, recurring champions within the Cape Cod Division A League.

Randy spent more than fifty cherished summers on the Vineyard. He valued family and friends (and tennis, and a perfectly cooked lobster) above all else.

Randy’s wisdom and sense of humor brought comfort and smiles to those around him. He will be remembered as saying, “Take what you do seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously.”

Survivors include his wife, Dr. Nancy Barnett; daughters Sara and Kate; his mother Jeanne; two sisters, Megan and Jane; his mother in law, Dolores Snow; his sister and brother in law, Susan and John Graczyk; a nephew, Brandon Graczyck; and two nieces, Adrienne Hanson and Kelsey Grazczyk.

In Randy’s memory, friends are invited to join his family on Saturday, Nov. 3 for a walk along the Shining Sea Bicycle Path in Falmouth. Family and friends will gather at Surf Drive where it intersects the bicycle path at 10 a.m. and walk to his home. A reception will follow at the house.

A fund will be established through the United States Tennis Association Tennis and Education Foundation, which provides college scholarships and assists in developing after-school, mentoring, literacy and tennis programs for at-risk children throughout the United States. Checks can be made to the association’s Tennis and Education Foundation, and sent to Megan Barnett, 6641 Wakefield Drive, Apartment 615, Alexandria, VA 22307.