In Memory of Lynn Alexander: Beloved Friend and Force for Nature

In December, Resource Renewal Institute (RRI) lost a wonderful friend and a colleague whose work will have a lasting impact on our organization. 

Lynn Alexander was a multi-faceted person who often surprised us with her wide range of talents and interests. As a director of large, complex projects for RRI, she was an organizational expert and accomplished leader who brought out the best in all of us. Away from the office, she was a gifted artist, crafting chocolate creations that looked too beautiful to eat but were too delicious not to. Her garden was another way Lynn expressed herself. We were often the happy recipients of her homegrown vegetables and homemade salad dressings.

We will always be indebted to Lynn for bringing to life one of RRI’s most ambitious programs and the one closest to our hearts – Forces of Nature: Environmental Elders Speak. When Huey Johnson’s friend and hero, David Brower, passed away suddenly, Huey vowed that he would capture and record the wisdom of environmental pioneers while they were still alive. Lynn took the idea and ran with it, shepherding the program from its first interview to the more than 150 now archived and enjoyed by over a half-million online visitors annually. She oversaw every facet of the project – from researching and preparing each interview to carefully referencing and organizing the entire archive. She coordinated the work of videographers, editors, interviewers and web designers, always taking care that Huey’s vision was being realized. 

And taking care is what Lynn was all about. Warm-hearted and generous, she brought a special, personal touch to everything she did, whether it was directing a program, defending the environment or hosting a garden party for friends.  

We are so grateful to have had Lynn in our lives. Our hearts go out to her husband Alan and everyone in her family.

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We believe the greatest tribute to Lynn is to continue her important work.