Reclamation Grieves Loss of Former Commissioner John Keys
A Letter from Commissioner Bob Johnson
On Friday May 30, the Reclamation
family lost Commissioner
John Keys when the plane he was
piloting over Canyonlands National Park
crashed, killing him and his passenger.
During these difficult days, I have often
struggled to find the right words to convey
our sense of loss. John believed in what he
called “Reclamation people,” and “Reclamation
people” believed in him. He spent
his 36-year professional career with Reclamation,
working throughout the West. He
started as a civil and hydraulic engineer,
gaining valuable experience in the Great
Basin, the Missouri River Basin, the Colorado
River Basin and the Columbia River
Basin. He served as Pacific Northwest
regional director
for 12 years,
and, during that
time, received the
Department of the
Interior’s highest
honor, the Distinguished
Service
Award, for maintaining open lines of communication
with stakeholders and keeping
interest groups focused on solutions.
John retired from Reclamation in 1998
only to return in 2001 when President Bush
appointed him as Commissioner, a post he
held until April 2006. As Commissioner,
he oversaw many significant accomplishments
such as the development of the
Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation
Program, a long-term agreement
among more than 30 parties to protect and
maintain species and wildlife habitat on the
Lower Colorado River.
Before his retirement two years ago,
John said, “I love the Bureau of Reclamation.
I believe in what we do. I am proud
of our part in the
water development
and management that
has made it possible
for us to live in the
arid West. I believe
that the Bureau and
our Department are
ready for the water challenges of the 21st
century.”
After retiring, John stayed in touch with
many of us. I frequently sought his sage
advice on major decisions. I will miss him
personally and professionally, as I know
you will.
Let us keep in our thoughts during the
coming days John’s wife, Dell, his daughters
Cathy and Robyn, and his mother.
Last updated 6/5/08