Hail to the Chief

With heavy hearts, we must announce that last week the world lost one of its most staunch advocates for environmental justice and human rights, and Appalachian Voices lost a colleague and true friend.

Lenny Kohm’s legacy stretches from coast to coast, and from the wilds of Alaska down to the sunny Caribbean seaside. He influenced everyone he met, whether at a meeting about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, presenting a slideshow on mountaintop removal, or just enjoying a beverage with new friends in Jamaica.

As one person said so aptly in a tribute on Facebook: “Lenny you built an army of good, one person at a time, and we will keep fighting for you.”

Although semi-retired, Lenny was living life fully, as he always does, working on his “Boots-on-the-Ground” project and planning his next trip to Jamaica, which was only a few weeks away. We think he passed quickly and without struggle. He was found in his home, in his bed. He was 74.

Details about a celebration of his life should be announced sometime this week, but in the meantime a memorial facebook page has been set up for folks to post their remembrances of Lenny.

We will miss you, Chief.