Roy Popkin

I’ve been watching Ken Burns’ World War II documentary on PBS. Like college kids rediscovering the wisdom of their parents, this country is still trying to comprehend the generation that saved the world but is reluctant to talk about it.

I know this generation first hand. My mother lived through the London Blitz. You can’t get her to describe it. “Why would I want to remember that?” she asks. But, over time, the stories have fallen out like bits of broken glass. Funny stuff, like the skirts she and her sister made out of burlap. And less funny stuff, like how quickly the authorities were able to remove the bodies after a V2 rocket attack.

Roy Popkin is of this generation. Roy started working for the Red Cross in 1942. Over four decades he worked his way up in the organization finally retiring in 1984 as the Deputy National Director for Disaster Services.

That’s when he came to EPA . . . and served an additional 23 years.

This week we say good-bye to Roy Popkin. He’s been a mentor and friend to every EPA employee who came to know him. For 65 years he served two organizations and touched thousands of people. He helped people in need and protected people from harm. But don’t tell him he’s a great man. “I’m not an inspiration,” he explained during a recent tribute, “I’m just me.”

Roy comes from the heart of a generation where self-sacrifice for the public good is expected. And so is humility. You do something because it needs to be done to improve everyone’s lot, not your lot. Roy taught that value by example. EPA was the right place to do it.

I think this value is not only at the core of a generation that defeated tyranny, but also an important part of EPA’s culture. EPA is not a place to work if you want to get rich or have it ‘easy.’ No matter what we do, we seem to get criticized from all sides. We do our work best when we overcome difficulties not for publicity but because we are satisfied knowing we are doing something for the greater good. I hope we never lose that. I hope we’ve been learning from Roy and others like him.

Roy has received lots of kudos and awards. I asked him which prize he is most proud of. He held up his EPA ID and said, “Here is my badge of honor.”

Comments

[Norris McDonald]

Excellent. Do I have the distinction of being the first poster on the EPA blog. Regardless, this is exciting. Thanks. I look forward to posting many comments. And feel free to visit us anytime and post comments too.

[Richard Albores]

Roy, best of luck! Thank you for being a role model to the thousands of us here at EPA and across the Federal government.

[Karen Reshkin]

Roy, congratulations on TWO long and fruitful careers. Thank you for the mentoring and inspiration. May you go from strength to strength.

Marcus, thank you for honoring Roy in such a fitting way.

[Robt. Ward]

I've never met Roy (never heard of him before this) but I'm grateful to him, and everyone else like him, for their decades of selfless stewardship. How much poorer we'd all bay, if it weren't for the Roys of this world.

I wish you a fine and fulfilling retirement, Roy; you've earned it!

[Steve M.]

Roy, a sincere Thank You for your decades of unselfish public service. Your profound effect on those that work with you has assured that your ideals will continue for decades yet to come.

[Steve Ohnsman]

I have had the honor and pleasure of knowing Roy Popkin for more than 36 years. He is one of the finest men I have met in my life. I am proud to say that Roy is my father-in-law.

[Emil Knutti]

Roy, you are one of the finest persons that I have ever met. Your life experiences exceed what a dozen or so of us thrown together could ever brag about. You don’t brag, Roy, you just nonchalantly mention a life experience in a conversation and from that we learn of your greatness. Thank you, Roy, for your dedication to mankind. Thank you for being a friend and mentor.

[Jojo]

Thank you Roy for being a positive role model for countless numbers of young people. You make your generation proud and want to stand up and cheer. My generation do actually find inspiration in our elders and your story truly wows.

[Daniel Ohnsman]

I know that Roy is a humble person. He doesn't say much. He doesn't have to. I don't see him as often as I would like to because I live in Colorado. When I spend time with him I like to pick his brain because he has so much stored away in there. I love to hear his great stories of growing up in Brooklyn. I also want to thank everyone for all of the nice things you have said about my Grandpa Roy(even if Mary paid you to say them). Ha Ha. It is nice to know that he has helped so many people. His daughter is pretty cool also. The apple didn't fall too far from the tree. See Ya!

[Belinda Blackman]

Roy has certainly been an inspirational and encouraging co-worker and friend. I consider him a great one of wisdom, a teacher. I'm going to miss the guidance and friendship he has provided to me throughout my career at EPA. I just wish he didn't have to leave so soon.

[Jeffrey Levy]

Roy, we will miss you. I know you think it's nothing, but the length of time you served the public is something to be proud of and worth noting publicly. I'll miss your war stories, wry observations, and good humor. Congrats and thanks!

[Rick]

If more leaders, of large organizations, had more concern for those who were affected by their actions; we would certainly live in a much better world. Thank you for everything Mr. Popkin.