ave, We Hardly Knew YeŠ The following is a letter on behalf of gcrg‹written to be included in a ³Book of Letters² being compiled for the retirement party for Dave Haskell, Director of the Grand Canyon Science Center. Much to our dismay, Dave retired in April. We¹ll miss him.

Dear Dave, So, you¹re retiring. No 11th-hour word from the Governor, no change of heart? Well, it¹s only fair; you¹ve more than put in your time. But this is sad news both for all of us at gcrg who have had the great pleasure and privilege of working with you over the past several years at Grand Canyon, and for everyone we represent who never had a chance to meet you while you worked so hard on behalf of the Canyon and the River. You came to gcnp a little over four years ago, and the minute you walked in the door at that year¹s gts, we could tell something was different. Along with the big hat, you brought with you a huge smile, a wonderful sense of humor, and a willingness to really talk and listen to the concerns of the people you worked with, who were many and varied. Your tenure here at Grand Canyon has been anything but boring: the General Management Plan and Colorado River Management Plan revisions, the Wilderness dispute, the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management process, the overflights battle, discussions about private boater access and the private permit systemŠthe list goes on. In a period otherwise rife with contention, argument, hot tempers and cold shoulders, you always maintained that wonderful smile and calm, cheerful, attitude, even when we¹re pretty sure that¹s not how you felt inside! You always dealt respectfully with people, from a position of equality and cooperation. And you always, always, no matter how politicized the issue, held the interests of the Canyon and the River in first place. On the river, you were one of the gang‹you just slipped into the routine and camaraderie, and everybody always loved having you along (³Haskell¹s coming on the gts? Cool!² ³Can we get Haskell to come?² ³See if you can get Haskell to come on the river trip.²). Whether it was painting at night in camp, teaching the boatmen new tricks with latex, or swimming the Fifth Wave (and everything after that) in Hermit, you really knew how to, uh, shall we sayŠimmerse yourself in the experience. It is rare to have such a warm and respectful relationship with any member of a managing agency and ours has gone so far beyond that. You will be truly missed here at gcrg, friend. You¹re going off to hang out by the Verde River, put your feet up on the porch, watch the cottonwoods and the sunset and take it easy for a while. But something tells us you won¹t be taking it easy for long. You¹ve got too much love for the Canyon and the wild places of this Earth in you to just sit back. Dave, you¹re only going to be down the hill a little way. We hope you won¹t be a stranger and that you¹ll continue to work in your good-natured and so very effective way for the good of the River and her Canyon. It¹s been an honor and a privilege. Enjoy your peace and quiet and come down the river again soon. She¹s always there for you, any time you need her.

Christa