Comments on: In Memory of Tom Graff http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/ A water policy forum for the Golden State Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:38:07 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: grantdavis http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-142 grantdavis Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:13:50 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-142 Tom was the dean of our delegation, his compass pointing true north. From that direction it rarely waivered and only when it absolutley had to. He leaves a legacy of monumental accomplishments and represents an example for all of us to follow. He was strong, determined, and very effective. He had a wicked sense of humor and we were all lucky to know him, to work alongside him and to call him friend. Tom was the dean of our delegation, his compass pointing true north. From that direction it rarely waivered and only when it absolutley had to. He leaves a legacy of monumental accomplishments and represents an example for all of us to follow. He was strong, determined, and very effective. He had a wicked sense of humor and we were all lucky to know him, to work alongside him and to call him friend.

]]> By: betsyreifsnider http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-140 betsyreifsnider Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:38:26 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-140 Two memories of Tom stand out. One cherished memory is when Tom rode to Friends of the River's rescue when the Sacramento Bee published an unfair editorial about us. Tom wrote a letter to the editor so full of indignation at the Bee and of appreciation for Friends of the River that I framed it and hung it above my desk. Tom's letter kept me going during the tough times. My second memory is of Tom dancing in a small rural town in Northern China. We were part of a water resources delegation led by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Dan Beard. Unbeknownst to us, the hotel where we were staying had organized a dance for us and forced the hotel staff to be available as dancing partners! We Americans acted like junior high school students standing awkwardly against the walls and avoiding eye contact with our Chinese hosts. Tom whispered that he felt sorry for the staff, so he gamely walked out onto the dance floor and asked one of the women if she would do him the honor of the next dance. We soon followed Tom's example and actually had a fun time. I will always remember Tom's kindness, humor, and grace under pressure. Two memories of Tom stand out. One cherished memory is when Tom rode to Friends of the River's rescue when the Sacramento Bee published an unfair editorial about us. Tom wrote a letter to the editor so full of indignation at the Bee and of appreciation for Friends of the River that I framed it and hung it above my desk. Tom's letter kept me going during the tough times.

My second memory is of Tom dancing in a small rural town in Northern China. We were part of a water resources delegation led by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Dan Beard. Unbeknownst to us, the hotel where we were staying had organized a dance for us and forced the hotel staff to be available as dancing partners! We Americans acted like junior high school students standing awkwardly against the walls and avoiding eye contact with our Chinese hosts. Tom whispered that he felt sorry for the staff, so he gamely walked out onto the dance floor and asked one of the women if she would do him the honor of the next dance. We soon followed Tom's example and actually had a fun time. I will always remember Tom's kindness, humor, and grace under pressure.

]]> By: davidlewis http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-126 davidlewis Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:19:13 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-126 Tom was a great mentor to younger environmental leaders, generous with his time and powerful with his example of patient persistence and strategic political thinking. He encouraged me when I started as Save The Bay's Executive Director, and repeatedly gave his time and thoughtful advice. By inspiring others to be engaged and effective in pursuit of a better planet, he has left an enormous legacy that can continue for many years. We will miss him dearly, but his example will continue to shape our efforts. Tom was a great mentor to younger environmental leaders, generous with his time and powerful with his example of patient persistence and strategic political thinking. He encouraged me when I started as Save The Bay's Executive Director, and repeatedly gave his time and thoughtful advice. By inspiring others to be engaged and effective in pursuit of a better planet, he has left an enormous legacy that can continue for many years. We will miss him dearly, but his example will continue to shape our efforts.

]]> By: artcooley http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-125 artcooley Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:10:52 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-125 As a founding trustee of EDF, I am well aware of all of Tom's accomplishments especially as they have been described by his admirers above. I miss Tom terribly because at each board meeting Tom was full of optimism, good analysis and a wonderful demeanor. But I also will miss, and I hope it doesn't sound trivial, playing ping pong with the icon of California environmentalism. It is often the wonderful interactions we have with our friends that we miss the most. The country's environment is better because of Tom and that is important but the heart aches because other connections have been severed. As a founding trustee of EDF, I am well aware of all of Tom's accomplishments especially as they have been described by his admirers above. I miss Tom terribly because at each board meeting Tom was full of optimism, good analysis and a wonderful demeanor. But I also will miss, and I hope it doesn't sound trivial, playing ping pong with the icon of California environmentalism. It is often the wonderful interactions we have with our friends that we miss the most. The country's environment is better because of Tom and that is important but the heart aches because other connections have been severed.

]]> By: byronbuck http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-124 byronbuck Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:32:59 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-124 Tom was a wonderful, thoughtful human being and it was my privilege to have known him. While we disagreed over the years, we as often agreed and regardless of whether we did or didn't he was always gracious and warm. Intelligent as so few are. Sometimes stubborn but never doctrinaire. He could be persuaded by a thoughtful argument but more often was persuading you with his. He leaves a huge void and it will be some time before anyone can claim his mantle, if ever. Tom was a wonderful, thoughtful human being and it was my privilege to have known him. While we disagreed over the years, we as often agreed and regardless of whether we did or didn't he was always gracious and warm. Intelligent as so few are. Sometimes stubborn but never doctrinaire. He could be persuaded by a thoughtful argument but more often was persuading you with his. He leaves a huge void and it will be some time before anyone can claim his mantle, if ever.

]]> By: monkfish http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-122 monkfish Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:07:55 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-122 There may be no other person currently in this world that I wish I had known better. He leaves much to aspire towards.. There may be no other person currently in this world that I wish I had known better. He leaves much to aspire towards..

]]> By: barrynelson http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-121 barrynelson Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:45:25 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-121 Tom was a leading advocate on California water issues for more than three decades. He was a champion for the Bay-Delta ecosystem and particularly for market-based solutions to address our environmental and water supply problems. Tom showed that sound economic policy can make sound environmental policy. But Tom was far more than that. For a generation of activists in California, including myself, Tom was a friend and a generous mentor. He had a unique combination of unusual strategic insight, an impish sense of humor, and a gift for putting together unusual collaborations. Tom’s skills, personality and style of advocacy also made him immensely likeable. Even those who routinely disagreed with Tom respected him – and couldn’t help liking him. I can recall more than one challenging water meeting at which I found myself looking at him and asking myself -- “What’s Tom thinking? What’s he going to do here?” You could always count on Tom for the unexpected. Issues like water, transportation and climate change are not just environmental problems. They are also challenges facing our economy and our society. Solving such problems requires pioneers who can lead the way to new solutions and teach the next generation of leaders. Tom was one of those special people – and the path he blazed will continue to lead California to solutions after his passing. Tom was a leading advocate on California water issues for more than three decades. He was a champion for the Bay-Delta ecosystem and particularly for market-based solutions to address our environmental and water supply problems. Tom showed that sound economic policy can make sound environmental policy. But Tom was far more than that. For a generation of activists in California, including myself, Tom was a friend and a generous mentor. He had a unique combination of unusual strategic insight, an impish sense of humor, and a gift for putting together unusual collaborations. Tom’s skills, personality and style of advocacy also made him immensely likeable. Even those who routinely disagreed with Tom respected him – and couldn’t help liking him. I can recall more than one challenging water meeting at which I found myself looking at him and asking myself — “What’s Tom thinking? What’s he going to do here?” You could always count on Tom for the unexpected.

Issues like water, transportation and climate change are not just environmental problems. They are also challenges facing our economy and our society. Solving such problems requires pioneers who can lead the way to new solutions and teach the next generation of leaders. Tom was one of those special people – and the path he blazed will continue to lead California to solutions after his passing.

]]> By: Tom Graff has died | 1800blogger http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Tom Graff has died | 1800blogger Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:36:21 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-120 [...] a bio at EDF and Spreck Rosekran’s blog post in [...] [...] a bio at EDF and Spreck Rosekran's blog post in [...]

]]> By: waterman http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-118 waterman Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:32:54 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-118 Tom, It was a shame you were not around during the last couple of months to direct EDF's lobbying in Sacramento during the recent special session on water. It's sad to see that EDF has been reduced to advocating for paper instream flows in the Delta and not a set of real and enforceable set of water flows for fish and other species in the Delta. You are missed. Tom,

It was a shame you were not around during the last couple of months to direct EDF's lobbying in Sacramento during the recent special session on water. It's sad to see that EDF has been reduced to advocating for paper instream flows in the Delta and not a set of real and enforceable set of water flows for fish and other species in the Delta.

You are missed.

]]> By: Jennifer Witherspoon http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-117 Jennifer Witherspoon Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:14:58 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-117 Dear Tom, You will be forever missed, it was such fun to work with you. I'll never forget how clever you were, getting a few of us on a boat ride to see the back end of Hetch Hetchy Valley, inspiring us to work for the restoration of a very special place. Or how with a few phone calls you could engender major media coverage for our issues in just about any place. But mostly I will miss your calm, your leadership and your care. You were a great person to be around, a joy to work with, and I count myself lucky to have had a few great years with you. With love and gratitude, Jennifer Witherspoon http://www.vimeo.com/7584627 Dear Tom,

You will be forever missed, it was such fun to work with you. I'll never forget how clever you were, getting a few of us on a boat ride to see the back end of Hetch Hetchy Valley, inspiring us to work for the restoration of a very special place. Or how with a few phone calls you could engender major media coverage for our issues in just about any place. But mostly I will miss your calm, your leadership and your care. You were a great person to be around, a joy to work with, and I count myself lucky to have had a few great years with you. With love and gratitude, Jennifer Witherspoon http://www.vimeo.com/7584627

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