Obituaries

The family of Casey Barach is heartbroken to announce his passing on August 17, 2025, following complications from an accident that occurred five years ago, resulting in a traumatic brain injury.

He is survived by his mother, Gail Hogue of Boynton Beach, Florida; his wife, Andie Bernard-Barach of Cincinnati, OH; his children, Kelsey (Shane) Johnson of Golden, CO; Tino (Cydney) Bernard, Ethan Bernard, and Luke Bernard-Barach, all of Cincinnati, OH; and three cherished grandchildren, Wyatt and Quinn Johnson and Emery Bernard. Casey is also survived by his sister, Mona (Bob) Rowley and family of Steubenville, OH, and his brother, Dan (Amanda) Hogue and family of Pickerington, OH.

Casey was a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and the start-up community in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. After his own experience with a start-up in 2001, he became the first Executive Director of the Madison E-Zone, Northern Kentucky's first Innovation & Commercialization Center, established under the 2001 Kentucky Innovation Act.

Seven years later, Casey played a pivotal role in merging the E-Zone into Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, where he served as Senior Vice President for Entrepreneurship. His vision led to the founding of UpTech, an award-winning accelerator that supported high-growth companies for more than a decade.

Through UpTech and the Northern Kentucky Growth Fund-Kentucky's first angel investment fund-Casey nurtured the start-up ecosystem and became a statewide leader for angel investing. He personally authored and tirelessly lobbied for the Angel Investment Tax Credit legislation, which continues to fuel investment in Kentucky's entrepreneurs.

Over the course of his 20-year career, Casey raised tens of millions of dollars for program operations and direct investments, while helping create more than 1,100 high-tech jobs. Entrepreneurs across the region credit Casey for their success, whether it was through the programs he developed, the steady coaching he provided, or the encouragement he offered at every stage of their journeys.

Casey held his family as steady and close as a person could. He woke up every day ready to serve his wife and children-never temperamental, never absent, always open and present. His love poured out daily: on the baseball field, in the bleachers at diving meets, front row at piano recitals, and most importantly, in the quiet, hard moments when all that was needed was a strong Dad or Husband.

You would never find Casey in the middle of a loud family or neighborhood party-instead, you'd find him in a quiet corner, watching over everyone, making sure we were all cared for, that we were Held.

His passing leaves a gaping hole in the sturdy life he built for us. Yet his presence, love, and steady guidance have seeded a foundation in each of us-a catalyst to remain steady, sturdy, and in love with life and one another, even though he is no longer physically here.

On behalf of Casey, we thank you for reading this and for witnessing the life force and legacy of a truly great soul.

A Community Gathering to honor Casey's life and impact will be held at the Spring Grove Event Center in Cincinnati, OH, beginning at 3:00 PM.

~ 3:00-4:30 PM: Live music and time for connection

~ 4:30-6:00 PM: Open mic for those who wish to share memories and stories, especially for Casey's children to hear how their father touched so many lives

All are welcome to bring their reflections as we celebrate Casey's life and the lasting impact he made on all of us.