March 17, 2019
Dick Lahn is remembered for his many contributions as an environmental advocate, particularly the establishment of the String of Pearls Program.
Honoring Dick Lahn
“In honor and memory of Dick Lahn For his many contributions as an environmental advocate, particularly the establishment of the String of Pearls Program.”
Presented at the Anne Arundel County Sierra Club Annual Dinner on February 2, 2019.. Accepted by Elaine Lahn, his wife and David Lahn, his son.
Dick Lahn was one of the region's ultimate environmentalists. He started several programs to benefit the environment of which the String of Pearls was the most well known. The String of Pearls was his effort to acknowledge those who put their properties into an easement for permanent preservation, allowing no development on a permanent basis. The purpose was to limit development’s effect on the Chesapeake Bay. I first met Dick when he organized a bus trip to visit many of the String of Pearls.
Dick was a lobbyist for the Sierra Club in the 1970’s. With the help of two senators, the attempt to raise the level of permissive radiation was defeated. And he helped to insure that the Clean Water Act was what it needed to be. As a volunteer, he worked with others to protest the Cove Point Natural Gas Dock. He and others secured a settlement still in use requiring how Dominion Cove Point can do business.
Many environmentalists are most appreciative of his calm and positive leadership and gentle but persuasive spirit.. He mentored and encouraged other environmentalists, such as Suzanne Etgen of the Watershed Stewards Academy. He cofounded the National Clean Air Coalition and earned a Sierra Club Lifetime Achievement Award.
Many of the local environmentalists sing his praises and tell of their appreciation of the special way he worked, gently, calmly and persuasively.
He also received many commendations from national and even international environmental groups.
Dick is survived by his wife, Elaine Lahn and two children, David and Etta. Many people spoke including Mayor Buckley, County Executive Stewart Pittman and former Mayor Ellen Moyer, at an amazing memorial service held at the Maritime Museum on Sunday, December 9, 2018. Members of his family talked about him with love and humor. Everyone talked about his deep commitment and his love of people and his gentle spirit.
Sources:
E.B. Furgurson III, The Capital
Suzanne Etgen, Watershed Stewards Academy
Steve Carr, Bay Weekly
etta cetera aka Jenny Lahn
Contributed by Liz Vanden Heuvel, Sierra Club Anne Arundel Group
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