Thanks Ted!(death of Ted Steven) (Editorial) (In memoriam)

• Author: Cutler, Debbie

Shortly after hearing the tragic news of former Sen. Ted Steven's death the morning of Aug. 10, 2010, the words "Thanks Ted" mysteriously appeared on the bulletin board of ABM's kitchen. I couldn't have said it better myself.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

What do you say about a man who loved Alaska and brought fame and fortunes to the Great Land like no other in the history of the state?

As the world reeled at the news of his death--which happened the night before, resulting from a plane crash near Dillingham with eight others onboard, four of whom died in the crash with him: Dana Tindall, Corey Tindall, Bill Phillips and Terry Smith--ABM staffers grieved as well.

Press releases with memories and condolences poured in from government officials and leaders around the world. Everywhere you went, people talked about it. And at a Toastmaster's meeting I attended that afternoon, speaker Dawn Williams changed her prepared speech at the last minute to a more impromptu one memorializing Stevens and Black Monday in what she called one of the five most horrific days in Alaska's history, along with the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964 and the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989.

"Thanks Ted." For all you did and all you were.

About a day...