We are deeply saddened that Dr. Timothy L. Crawford, director of NOAA's Air Resources Laboratory, Idaho Field Research Division died during a research flight August 3 after his plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Martha's Vineyard.

Dr. Crawford's flight was designed to measure low-level, off-shore turbulence. Dr. David L. Evans, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, said that the particular project Dr. Crawford was engaged in was unique to NOAA in that it expanded our understanding of the interaction between air and sea. Data collected were to be used to improve our understanding of how energy is exchanged between the atmosphere and ocean.

Dr. Crawford joined NOAA in 1986. He was the recipient of many professional honors, including the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal and NOAA Administrator's Award, both for design and application of airborne instrument systems. Dr. Crawford was esteemed by his colleagues for exemplary leadership, boundless enthusiasm, and unflinching integrity. He always said, "it's about the science" and he died in that pursuit.

Dr. Crawford's untimely death is a profound personal and professional loss for NOAA and the Nation. On behalf of everyone at NOAA and the Commerce Department, I extend our heartfelt sympathy to Dr. Crawford's wife, Sharon, and his daughters, Ann Crawford and Tiffany Wheeler. Dr. Crawford also leaves a six-month-old grandson, John.