North Star Port

AYING GOODBYE IS PART OF LIFE. Goodbyes come in all forms: some are final, some punctuate a significant occur- rence or interaction, some are a casual "until we meet again." We have a choice: we can avoid the transaction, thereby choos- ing denial, or we can embrace it and honor the departing or the shared occurrence. For me, this has been a season of goodbyes that warrant recognition. In no way maritime-related but the most profound for me: my mother, Emily Swan DeLuca, passed away last fall. I looked to my mom as a model for her attentiveness, ability to embrace the present, full-on capacity for love, deep listening skills, and vast empathy. A modest and unassuming person, she was also a quiet adventurer. She was a licensed pilot at age 16. She took my three siblings and me backpacking in the Montana and Idaho wilderness annually, starting in 1970, when we were aged 8-13, at a time when equipment was so rare that she sewed two out of four kids' backpacks to fit borrowed external frames, and jerry-rigged cheap tents to be more breathable. She took me as a young teen on long bike rides in the Wisconsin countryside. When her kids encouraged her to compete, she won the U.S. National Master's cycling time-trial championship in her late fifties. She was a voracious reader, a great conversationalist, and developer of competencies in the craft, musical, and phys- ical realms. I miss you every day, Mom. Thank you for the love, life lessons, and excellent siblings. One of two family dogs was put to sleep in November, just shy of age 16. This was the dog that grew up with my children and accompanied us on our own canoe and backpacking trips through the years. A 25-pound wirehaired dachshund mix- pound rescue, he could perform a score of tricks and keep up with us running and nordic skiing, his little legs doing double time on the downhills. When I ran a business from my home for many years, he was my constant companion and followed my every motion. Thank you for the unconditional adoration and the companionship, little Tattoo. As you'll read in the following pages, it's also been a season of professional goodbyes. Jeff Stollenwerk will retire as our government and environmental affairs director on March 1 and I will miss him. Jeff has a way with people that is easy and fun. He is good at connecting with everyone because he is genuinely interested: legislators, agency staff and leadership, community members, industry representatives. He also came with an incredible knowledge and skill base that suited his environmental- and governmental-affairs duties admirably. Always eager to add to that skill base, he is also a workhorse and not afraid to put forth and implement new ideas and initiatives. Did I mention his sense of humor? When I reminded him that, when hired, he told me he would retire when I do, he retorted: "That's on you, you are taking too long!" Wishing you and Stef a happy retirement, Jeff ! Marie Strum retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in January as one of its most respected and valued leaders. Most recently, she had served as the Detroit District's chief of operations division and leader of the Great Lakes Navigation Team since June 2016. She did important work and her approach was unique. Marie was one of those agents who transcends bureaucracy and effectively directs action to get things done. It is fair to say that the USACE features one of the most labyrinthine, complicated government bureaucracies; while a great organization dedicated to its mission, alacrity is not a strength. Yet, one always knew that with Marie involved, the outcome would be the right one and the process would be efficient. She was never afraid to tackle a challenging situation or conversation, leading with clear communication and work- ing to seek innovative solutions. It was great working with you, Marie. I raise a glass to your spirit and competence! Finally, within our own harbor, Ken Gerasimos retired from Key Lakes/Great Lakes Fleet and Marshall Elder retired from the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal after years of dedicated service. Ken: you are possibly the best storyteller I know. We will all miss your passion for the Lakes and your strong opinions and sense of humor! Marshall: I will miss your steady presence and valued contributions, whether at Midwest Energy or with the Harbor Technical Advisory Committee, but I'm happy to hear you'll be continuing your involvement with the Duluth-Superior Maritime Club and its board, so we'll still connect there. To both of you: happy retirement and thank you for your contributions to our industry and community. S DULUTHPORT.COM | 1 THE HARBOR LINE Deb DeLuca Executive Director WHEN IT COMES TO GOODBYES, WE HAVE A CHOICE: WE CAN AVOID THE TRANSACTION, THEREBY CHOOSING DENIAL, OR WE CAN EMBRACE IT AND HONOR THE DEPARTING OR THE SHARED OCCURRENCE.

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