Joe was a father, surfer, diver, lover of oceans and the outdoors. He was a musician and a genuinely good-natured person. He was my colleague and therefore shared many of my interests. I knew he had been working longer than I had and I respected his knowledge of the marine environment, rightly earned from years of experience, but when I found out how much older than me he was, I couldnāt believe it! He looked so good for his age, continuing to participate in activities like surfing and diving that kept him fit, which was good because he was young at heart. When I learned his actual age, I genuinely thought to myself, I want to be fit like Joe when Iām his age, and I hope I can continue to surf and dive like he does as I get older. I think probably everyone that met Joe thought the same thing. So I was shocked when I heard the news that Joe had passed. It didnāt make any sense, and it hurts. I knew he was starting to think about retirement, but I was looking forward to surfing and diving and hiking and working with Joe for at least a few more years, then celebrating his retirement. We could spend all day diving for work, and I definitely appreciated that he would still have enough energy to catch some waves after work. On some days that the waves might be mediocre, the paddle out in a beautiful location and our shared appreciation of the oceanās natural beauty even made those after-work sessions worthwhile. Joe liked doing the kinds of things that I liked doing, appreciated the things that I appreciate, and was someone you liked being around. And he was funny! We hiked together in the Virgin Islands and I remember hiking with him in St. John, with him hiking barefoot and complaining when he kept stepping on thorns! But he really didnāt care. It was more comfortable walking in the tropics barefoot. The worldās not the same without Joe and Iām lucky to have known him, and have some great memories. But I wish I had more. My sincere condolences to his family, who I didnāt get a chance to meet. Iām sorry I canāt be there in person to grieve with you all for this wonderful person. And Iām sure you know this, but Joe was really loved and appreciated by many people. Going forward, it wonāt be possible to do many of the things I love doing without thinking of Joe because Joe loved doing those things too, but Iāll try to hold on to the memories and the fun times. I had a nice sunset surf the other day that I dedicated to Joe. It was my first surf session after hearing the news. I was in Wrightsville Beach at the Crystal Pier, and there were remnants of tropical storm Debby that gave some nice clean swell, not too big, but lots of longboarders out, so Joe would have fit right in. I was with my son who I had earlier talked to about Joe, and I even think that Joe had mentioned surfing up this way previously. He would have loved it! Miss you and love you Joe, and rest in peace brother.