September 6, 2012 Dear Mrs. Rhea Giroux, My colleague Bonnie Edwards, from the Chancellor’s office, broke the terrible news about Joseph the other day. Perhaps I can ease an iota of your sadness by telling you a bit about how Joseph connected with others in his work day life. We worked together on a state project in 2010, meeting in Sacramento every few months and talking via conference call. Joseph was terrific as co-leader of the committee. There were at least 25 of us, all with different and strong opinions and we sometimes got a little carried away. “Herding cats” does not begin to describe the group dynamic. And at the center of the maelstrom there would be Joseph, sitting quietly, occasionally summarizing or clarifying a point. Nothing ruffled him. The first phase of the project was completed and the group went dormant for a year. Several months ago, Joseph was asked to head up a small research subcommittee. There were just a few of us--maybe five. I missed the first phone conference call and Joseph agreed to catch me up to speed. We talked for over an hour and I remember how phenomenal I thought he was at synthesizing complex information and distilling the essence of an argument. I kept apologizing on the phone for being prickly. (I tend to be… outspoken in my opinion.) Joseph just laughed and said he had enough patience--even for me. That was what I knew about him. Gentle, focused, a good man. I am not alone in remembering Joseph so fondly. At the state level, politics and sensitivities reign supreme and it is a rare soul who can bring people together. Your husband was a master at weaving together the texture of disparate voices into a beautiful tapestry. He never lost sight of your point of view and always honored your perspective. That is a rare talent and one that we all deeply appreciated. For my colleagues and me, Joseph was a model of who we are supposed to be on our best days. Kind, thoughtful, insightful, and willing to share of himself. Thank you for sharing your husband with us. We will remember him well. With enduring respect and fond memory, Chelley Maple