[Coral-List] Passing of Brian Keller

[Billy Causey]

Gene ... Thank you for your words and thoughtful reflections describing Brian Keller and his reactions to "off-beat ideas" and    you are so accurate!  When individuals posted what I thought were off-the-wall comments or position statements ... I would call Brian for his reaction and he always, no matter the topic or the source, would advise me to take some deep breaths and hit "send" tomorrow.  Most often I followed his advice .... But every once in a while my human frailties would take over and I would hit "send" before his advice sunk in to my thinking.

He always seemed neutral and it makes me realize how objective he could be in the mist of divided positions.  I will miss his counsel ... And in fact, I am already missing his calm and intellectual engagement.

Gene ... We need to use Brian's passing as a wake-up call and realize we don't have time to debate or argue the obvious concepts.  In Brain's memory, let's move forward!!  Billy

----- Original Message -----
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov <coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
Sent: Sun Mar 14 15:42:57 2010
Subject: [Coral-List] Passing of Brian Keller

I will  miss Brian Keller. Over the years we met and discussed many
issues in the Florida Keys but when Brian transferred here to St.
Petersburg he became a vital and reachable resource for discussion on
many biological issues.  I often walked down to his office to bounce
my latest off-beat idea off Brian. He had a knack of seldom changing
his facial expression no matter how over-the-top my  idea, or rant,
might be. He would then proceed to explain the facts  without ever
saying I was just plain crazy. I always walked away feeling happy and
enlightened.  We will certainly miss Brian here at the College of
Marine Science. The Sanctuary lost a good spokesman and a great
scientist.  Gene
--


No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor
University of South Florida
Marine Science Center (room 204)
140 Seventh Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
<eshinn at marine.usf.edu>
Tel 727 553-1158----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
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