Writes a Gary Barnett:

Good morning Lew,

It was so very sad to hear about the death of Butler Shaffer. My respect for him was immeasurable, and in addition, I thought him to be one of the kindest and most intelligent men of liberty that I ever knew. He was literally brilliant. We were not close friends, but we have been corresponding since 2012, and at one point planned to meet in person when I could travel to California. I can only regret that after his invitation to meet, I never made it happen. It would be a difficult task to meet anyone more important to the idea of freedom, or any who could present with such clarity the truth about a subject so misunderstood. He told me once that “We are in such harmony on how to deal with other people – and the rest of life and nature – that there is not much with which to respond to your note, and certainly nothing with which to disagree.”

I have kept every single email and correspondence we exchanged, and will keep them and use them to find clarity when confusion is evident. I will never forget him.