IFSR - International Federation for Systems Research

Everybody new "G.A" (Gale Alden) Swanson and it is hard to believe that he is not any more amongst us!

For more details see the Obituary

Some personal memories by Deborah Hammond:
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the International Society for
the Systems Sciences, I have been asked to say a few words to honor
the memory of GA Swanson, who passed away on the 3rd of July. I
recently learned that his given name was Gail Alden, but he has always
been GA to us.

On a personal note, I feel very fortunate to have known GA as a mentor
and a friend, and I will miss him, as I am sure many of you will as
well. When I think of the qualities that stand out, I will miss his
humor and playfulness, his kind and gentle manner, and the bright
twinkle in his eyes.

Even more, I think ISSS as a society will miss one of its most
dedicated members. GA is someone who embodies the best of what ISSS
stands for. As long as I have known him, he has worked quietly behind
the scenes and helped to nurture the society through some of its most
challenging times. It is not an exaggeration to say that, without the
work he did in the late 1990s to get the society on a solid legal and
financial footing, it would not be here today.

GA has also done more than anyone else to provide active guidance and
support for the next generation of leadership. When I was nominated as
president, he not only gave me support and encouragement, he made sure
that I wasn't going to do anything to jeopardize the future of ISSS.

So, I think we owe him a great debt. And ISSS represents only a small
part of his contribution to the next generation through his teaching
and research at Tennessee Tech. It is always hard to witness the
passing of a great soul, especially at such a young age. I would like
to ask you to join me in a brief moment of silence to honor his
memory. Thank you. We will miss you, GA.