John Barkley Rosser, Jr. (“Barkley”), 74, died in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on January
10, 2023, from an infection that led to heart valve failure. Barkley was born onApril
12, 1948 in Ithaca, New York to John Barkley Rosser, Sr. (December 6, 1907 -
September 5, 1989) and Annetta Hamilton Rosser (August 28, 1913 - October 8,
2010). He is survived by his wife, Marina Vcherashnaya Rosser; children, Meagan
Rebecca Rosser, Caitlin Elizabeth Hasser, andAlexandra Ashley Rosser; and
grandchildren, Charles Jordan Samser, Colton Robert Hasser, and Graeme Everett
Hasser.
Barkley joined the faculty of James Madison University as Professor of Economics in
1977. He was a prolific author, researcher, and journal editor in the fields of
mathematical and behavioral economics, as well as a pioneer of catastrophe theory and
chaos theory. Highly devoted to his community, Barkley was involved with the Daily
News Record and the Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalists, and was an active member
of the Sons of theAmerican Revolution. He will always be remembered as someone
who loved to share his passion for -- and encyclopedic knowledge of -- music, travel,
food, poetry, and Tolkien with those around him, whether as father, grandfather,
husband, friend, or mentor.
Aprivate burial service will be held at Woodbine Cemetery on January 14, 2023.A
celebration of life will take place at a future date.
Kyger Funeral Home