Robert Brelsford
Downstream Technology Editor
The art of saying farewell-much like the mastery of OGJ style-can be a tricky undertaking.
There are multiple elements to consider, some of which may require an overhaul of how one's always done something in the past.
It entails unlearning and letting go of old ways and patterns. It involves adapting perspective, establishing distance, restructuring knowledge, and embracing potential for new possibilities.
Other conventional challenges, of course, remain as well.
You must mind your word choice carefully. Be universal but specific. Be lively but not dramatic. Be engaged, but objective.
Above all else, though, you must pay utmost attention to tense. This, perhaps, is the thorniest challenge of all.
Past and presence
As many OGJ readers know, as of July 1, Warren R. True-this editor's mentor-retired after a 32-year career with the magazine.
What many may not know, however, is that his retirement could have come much sooner than it did had it not been for Warren's dedication to the publication and its people.
I first met Warren in early October 2013, when I interviewed for a technical editing position that reported to him.
First impressions, you may wonder?
Let's just say intimidating is hardly the word to describe it.
As those of you who know him well understand, Warren is one of those rare individuals blessed with an ability to shoot a look that could scare typos out of a manuscript.
He was no smiles, no small talk, no anything-but-business.
And rightly so.
As unnerved as I found myself in that meeting-and after his quick launch of a verbal pop quiz involving upstream vocabulary terms-Warren stared across the table at me and said something I will never forget, and something that instantly made me want to come to work for him.
"Listen," he said. "Bob [Tippee] and I aren't going to be around here forever, and we're looking to entrust the Journal to people that will care about it as much as we do. We need someone who will stick around, ask questions, and commit to guarding its excellence. We have a few already on staff that do this, but we need a few more. Can you make that kind of commitment?"
The conviction with which Warren spoke combined with the sincerity in those stern eyes upon me sealed the deal.
And the conviction, sincerity, and commitment with which Warren spoke that Friday afternoon remained unwavering across the nearly 2 years of instruction for which he postponed retirement to give me and two of my coeditors.
Yes, he is a stickler for style. Yes, he can be gruff, opinionated, meticulous, and when necessary, iron-willed. But these things are balanced by an immeasurable concern and respect for his colleagues, friends, family, and of course, OGJ.
This editor was fortunate enough to experience all these sides of Warren, and taken together, these are what made him the greatest teacher I've ever had.
Future perfect
Before this begins to sound like an obituary, let's be clear: Warren is alive and well and (ideally) enjoying his hard-earned next chapter.
And while he may no longer grace our hallways every day, he's still very much present.
I see him in my coeditors and colleagues, all of whom share the same commitment and dedication to guarding the standards of excellence at OGJ that Warren instilled in me.
I see him in myself when I begin mumbling my copy out loud to make sure it flows properly, or cutting adverbs left and right to fit a word count.
I even receive the occasional e-mail from him containing a news story or press release he's spotted and forwarded along.
So in lieu of a farewell, then, this editor offers Warren his deepest gratitude-for the knowledge, for sticking around to impart it, and for making it meaningful.