U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Speech by Janice R. Lachance, Director

John Nathan Sturdivant: In Celebration of His Life
March 1, 1998
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill

When I was invited, of course, I wanted to be here with you. But I wondered, what do I talk about? How do you capture John in words?

There arent enough words. But there are memories and insights I can share with you, which came I as thought about my years of association with John.

I remember the teacher, the uplifter.

He was a mentor to me. And I think he was a mentor to all of you, too. He brought us all along -- one way or another.

He challenged us. He teased us. He praised us. He nagged us. He let us share in his accomplishments. He gave us the look. He did everything he could to bring out the best in each of us.

I would not be who and where I am today without John.

I knew him to be an extraordinary man, with a zest for life. That zest manifested itself in ways great -- and in ways small.

We all know he adored hot dogs.

I remember especially an occasion in Miami Beach when John ordered me to find a car to borrow so he could go on a search-and-devour mission.

When he set his mind on something, he usually got it: whether it was a hot dog, or a public policy. At his funeral, even the Vice President talked about how he couldnt say no to John.

Were all friends here, so we can talk. John was, shall we say, aware of his appearance?

The cut of his suits had to be perfect; his shoes had to be shined; there could not be a hair out of place.

Im glad he was still with us, early last year, when the Washington Post printed a story about him and all his achievements.

That article appeared shortly after John was discovered to be suffering with the disease that took him from us. The article listed his achievements and contributions. But all any one could talk about was his age. Everyone was shocked when his age was revealed. Anyone who met John who didnt know his birthdate thought he was far younger.

I suspect that delighted him.

He knew he was looking good.

It has been said that one of the best ways to understand someone is to understand what he cares about.

Well, much has been said, and a lot more will be said, about the many interests and passions of John Sturdivant. One of Johns chief interests is often mentioned, but little examined. That is his deep interest in history -- in particular, his interest in the Civil War. But what is the significance of that passion? What does it tell us about John Sturdivant?

If you visit today the places where the Civil War raged in all its fury almost 14 decades ago, you find an eerie silence.

Where once cannons roared, horses screamed, rifles volleyed and men shouted; it is now quiet -- serene, green and calm.

Old battlegrounds seem like places frozen in time and space. Yet there remains a sense that the fury that once was there still survives, somewhere.

An impression that this eerie silence, where once upon a time thousands struggled and died, is only a veil behind which the great scenes of history still move.

John loved history. He was a Civil War buff.

And his absence feels a bit like walking on one of those hallowed grounds where our nation was reborn. Johns absence, too, leaves an unnatural and alien and great silence. Yet we know that, despite the stillness, a great force keeps marching on.

It is altogether reasonable that John was so deeply interested in the Civil War. That event and its consequences, which seem so far away, so long ago -- and simply dead and out of memory to many people -- actually move us along every day of our lives.

The aspect I remember most about John, the first thing that came to mind when I started thinking about my comments today, was his incredible vision. His ability to remain fixed on the end, through all the confusion and temporary turns and twists of fortune. He kept his eyes on the prize.

Thats when I truly understood his interest in the Civil War.

The Civil War was the single most defining event of the United States of America, a country John loved and cherished and championed.

The Civil War did two great things for this nation.

The Civil War decided, at horrible but necessary cost, whether these United States would be a strong single nation of many states and many peoples brought together by a central shared vision; or a weak collection of nation states and people with conflicting visions that would grow slowly and inexorably apart. Of course, the first version had to triumph to create a strong, diverse nation.

Does that sound like the vision of someone you know?

And the Civil War decided, at horrible but necessary cost, that the founders of the United States were prophets, not prevaricators, when they said that all people were created equal and endowed with their Creator with certain rights that can not be denied.

Can you think of someone who believed in raising up everyone -- together?

The Civil War demonstrated that rights can be deferred, due to tactical necessity, or the imperatives of the moment. But rights cannot be denied over the long term.

The Civil War demonstrated that the factors that bind us together as a people are more important than the differences that separate us as individuals.

That particular strategic vision was embodied by the person of President Abraham Lincoln, who saw what the end must be, and kept to that vision despite any reverses, any setbacks, any personal considerations, any costs. The end that he foresaw was worth the price that had to be paid to gain it.

Well, can you think of anyone else with that kind of great long-range vision?

Ill bet there are some great conversations going on in heaven these days.

John always saw the big picture. While we around him were scrambling to deal with the short-term situation, he knew where we should be next year, five years from now, 15 years from now. It was an amazing ability. It was Lincoln-like.

John is recently gone, taken too soon.

But Abraham Lincoln is long gone, taken too soon, yet his vision continues.

Today we may not be conscious, each and every moment -- or in too many cases, completely unaware -- of the fact that what Lincoln did 140 years ago drives what we do, who we are; but our lack of awareness doesnt diminish the reality that his vision continues to shape today and the future.

Today, we gathered here still realize very strongly that Johns vision continues. We still feel it as a moving, living presence. When we who directly worked with John also drop away, I believe his vision and influence will continue to move people in public service. They just wont realize, directly and personally as we do, who set them in motion. His vision was that extraordinary.

So, above all, I remember Johns vision. He was a man of such clear foresight that he could juggle the current state of affairs, adjust his tactics to accommodate reality, and still seek the end he knew must be the ultimate goal. It is a rare gift. We are fortunate he shared it with us.

This is a celebration, not a wake. It is a continuance, not an end. John, you are still looking good.

And in our hearts, you will be eternally energetic, eternally smiling, eternally pushing us on to new heights. Until we finally get to where you want us to go.