Mourning the Loss of a Friend of Mine — Who Was Also a Friend of Yours
Last month, Jim Greenberg, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation, lost a short but intense battle to a particularly aggressive form of cancer. Jim was a long-time client, a fine friend, and a consummate gentleman. He will be profoundly missed by all of us in the renewable energy arena, and by a much wider group of people who knew him through his work in law, and as a board member of numerous non-profits, where he had given a great deal of his time to philanthropy.
Jim’s obituary refers to him as a “humanitarian,” which is a moniker he most certainly deserved. But reading that made me think: Will people be able to say that about you and me?
It calls to mind 19th Century educator Horace Mann, president of Antioch College, a new institution committed to coeducation and equal opportunity for all students, black and white. Two months before he died, he said in a speech to the graduating class: “I beseech you to treasure up in your hearts these, my parting words: Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.”
So long, Jim. I’m a better person for having had the privilege to have known you, and for having helped forward your mission.
Mr Shields
Thanks you for sharing publicly such personal sorrow. It is obvious Mr. Greenberg was a special human being. He will live on through the differences he has made in the lives of many.
Jim left a mark – the good kind of mark.
I’ve always liked that Horace Mann quote.
I’m reminded of Gandhi’s words, “You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results.”
Let us all strive to do what we can. As Teddy recommended, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Vale Jim.
The death of any humanitarian, is a loss for all humanitarians. But the inspiration of such lives touches, and reinforces, the humanitarian aspirations in all humanity.
I’m sure we all empathize with your loss.
” Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible “. St. Francis of Assisi
I like the Assisi quote.
Craig thanks for sharing meaningful words about a close friend of yours who did positive meaningful things with the time he was given on this Earth all the best
Prayers of sympathy for all those who needed him in their lives. I never met him, but can say with certainty that my life and our world have lost a great leader. The quote and you sharing your loss have touched me deeply.