Larry Barnhill ’62

When it comes to the real estate business in still-booming Tucson, Brother Larry Barnhill’s career hasn’t fallen to far from the tree of success that many FIJI brothers share.

Brother Barnhill started his life as a FIJI pledge in fall 1955 and was initiated in 1956. In 1959, Brother Barnhill took the reigns of the house as Chapter President.

During his undergraduate years, he was a member of the Chain Gang, and the Traditions and Sophos honoraries. If that isn’t enough for dedication, Brother Barnhill was also a member of the Bob Cats, a student leadership team for undergraduates on campus. Brother Barnhill credits this leap into leadership at the U of A to that drive for being the best that all FIJI’s are taught. He was also able to be of service to his university by using his athletic abilities. He ran track for the U of A for two years.

After graduating from the U of A with a bachelor’s degree in Science and Mechanical Engineering, Brother Barnhill held positions with a number of companies in Southern California before moving back to Tucson in 1978. Then he went on to become a real estate broker for Coldwell Banker, one of the largest firms in Tucson. Aside from selling homes and properties in the city, he also cashed in on the explosive growth of sales in the unincorporated Catalina Foothills. His intelligent and well-thought business moves allowed him to break away from his position with Coldwell Banker two years ago to start his own business, BH Properties. Brother Barnhill also had the distinguished level of Senior Real Estate Specialist bestowed upon him. He is also a member of the Realtors Land Institute.

Brother Barnhill used his knowledge and contacts as a realtor to help out the community as well. He’s a member of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA), which has raised millions of dollars through events and outings for numerous philanthropic causes. One cause that has benefited immensely from SAHBA is Brother Barnhill’s other favorite group, the Arizona Arthritis Center. He has also been busy with his involvement in New Beginnings for Woman and Children, which helps those who have become homeless.

He not only sells houses and properties at top-dollar values, he also helps build them through Habitat for Humanity, which reveres Tucson as one of it’s most successful cities, mostly building homes on the city’s West Side.

Brother Barnhill also put his concerns for the environment into action through his work with the Southern Arizona Hiking Club, an organization that has been most influential at preserving the hundreds of pristine trails in the mountains around Tucson.

As an alumnus of the U of A, he hasn’t forgotten his alma-matter, either. He’s a member of the Wildcat and Arizona Letter Winner clubs. Despite his busy schedule, Larry Barnhill somehow made time to raise three children. His brother, Robert Barnhill ’60, is also an Upsilon Alpha brother.