Jan Vandersloot will be remembered for being many things to many people; he was a husband, father, physician and unyielding, tireless fighter for the environment. When Jan suddenly passed away on November 4th, the world lost a wonderful man. If you did not know Jan then you may have seen the products of his labors when you walked at Bolsa Chica State Park, rode your bike through Fairview Park, or when you surfed the waters off of Huntington Beach, CA.
To Jan there was no part of nature that was too small to protect. Jan fought hard to protect today's environment so that future generations can enjoy it. He was not timid towards any challenge and always came forth with new ideas and bold environmental projects.
The last time I saw Jan was at the Fall walking tour at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, CA. Although Jan had been to Fairview Park a countless amount of times, he was ecstatic to be there, it was as if it was his first time at the park. Jan was busy taking pictures of tour-goers, as well as, plants and park wildlife. You could see how Jan was passionately in love with nature.
Jan's creditability was beyond reproach, and whenever he was at a California Coastal Commission hearing or a Newport Beach City Council meeting, everyone listened to what he had to say. Everyone listened because Jan was always well-studied and prepared with the subject at hand. Jan had a way about him that exuded nothing but grace and class. He spoke with a thoughtful meter and listened to everything you had to say. While Jan was Orange County's undisputed environmental leader there was no arrogance about him whatsoever.
In a world that , at times, is eager to devour and pave over the environment, it was Jan who was the calming voice of reason that told us to slow down and think about what is being done to nature. Jan blended courage and passion in his strong commitment to nature. Jan showed that we can bond through nature and become whole again with the environment. During Jan's life he showed that one person can make a remarkable and positive difference in the world.
2 comments:
Yes, we have so much to be thankful for because of Jan. I was fortunate enough to have known him the last couple of years. He wasn't just an important environmentalist, he was just an all around fantastic human being. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Jan was a very good friend of my dad. He took time out of his busy schedule to support our family in retirement part for my dad. He gave my dad a Jaguar MK-9 on that day (WOW). Until I took an environmental science class in college, I then understood the awsomeness of what a great person Dr. Jan is. He was a giving person not only to our environment but to people as well. He is to me as much as my dad is. Samuel Jr.
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