Ladders

Rightly so, Bill is recognized for his contributions to science, academic excellence, prolific and proficient writing and leadership in fisheries science, management and connections. His career is storied in every such regard.All of these attributes share in but fail to fully highlight his greatest contribution. Something given to all of us. Something he helped us see, helped us find and then not only allowed but encouraged us to pursue in our own time and in a space into which he didn't intrude unbidden.Most, maybe all, came to him with what we thought was a clear-eyed vision of our professional interests and goals. For many that path was followed and fulfilled, and Bill was there when needed for counsel and advice. For some though, life intervened and provided unforeseen insights that pointed, perhaps pushed, us toward different plans.Bill was just as audacious in support of that latter group as he was of the former. In so doing perhaps ahead of his time in recognizing what Merton was getting at in his ladder metaphor. What's astounding is that despite his investments of time and treasure in support of us on the path that brought us to him, those investments didn't presuppose a specific direction. In fact, quite the opposite. He dove head long into and alongside our individual quests to lean that ladder against the new wall. Then authentically wished us well as we stepped onto that first rung or two.Accolades. Bill has all sorts of them. But the way he dealt with each of us and our choices implicitly understood the one thing more important to him than those accolades. Time. He understood better than us in our youth, that one finite piece of our existence. That it's too precious to be spent climbing any rung of any ladder not leaning on the wall best for us. Then unselfishly helped get us there.