Scott Mader and I worked together for 19 years at the Portland VA, and I am having difficulty facing life at work without his presence. He challenged himself and those around him to grow, and he did this in a supportive way. Scott loved to read and was always eager to share things that had sparked his interest from books he was reading. He was so passionate about education. He was a man of many ideas and goals, and as others who worked with him know, he could be doggedly persistent in achieving those goals. Remember those cards he carried full of things (sometimes quirky) to tackle! He would sometimes call me late in the day, often after 6 pm when we should both have been home, to tell me that he had been thinking and had a few ideas about things we needed to work on. When I was dealing with a difficult issue at work and needed someone to help me think through a complex problem, it was usually Scott whom I sought to help guide my decisions. Although I was older, it was clear to me that he was wiser. Scott was thoughtful and caring of others, and he would take the time to send a “Thank You” card or a “Happy Birthday” card. I never heard him complain about being in pain or feeling tired, although I know he must have frequently been both. He continued to have a strong work ethic even to the point of continuing to take care of work issues during his last illness. Maureen told me that she tried to get that Blackberry away from him in the ICU. His last email to me stated that he was having trouble with his oxygen levels and would not be able to take call that night. Whenever he travelled, and it seemed that he travelled a lot, he stayed in touch, always guiding us from wherever, and then returning to work with enthusiasm. He worked hard but always reminded others to take time to have fun, to appreciate every day the way he did. In so many ways, his voice is still in my head, and will continue to teach me many lessons about work and life. My deep condolences to his family and all his friends who will miss him so very much.