A little more than two weeks ago, John De Noyer taught Suzanne Alger's son, Kyle, an important lesson as the boy was helping set up for the town's Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration at Runnymede Park.
"My son was carrying a turtle box and was worried about were to put it. John told him, put it anywhere because the women will move it," Alger said. "He put it down and sure enough, [John's wife] Ann [Csonka] moved it, an inch."
Alger, along with more than a dozen others shared stories of John De Noyer with those gathered last Wednesday, May 19, for a reception to wish the long-time Town Council member well in his retirement from public office. After serving 16 years on the council, De Noyer opted not to seek re-election and will leave office June 30.
"This is really overwhelming," De Noyer told the crowd gathered in the Council Chambers. "I feel like I have a lot of friends and want to thank all of you."
DE NOYER WAS HONORED with a resolution from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, presented by chairman Gerald Connolly and Joan DuBois (Dranesville) proclaiming May 19 -- which also happened to be his birthday -- John De Noyer day. Del. Tom Rust (R-86) and state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32) also provided proclamations from their respective legislative houses.
"He taught me more about the environment, more of what to appreciate," said Rust, Herndon's former mayor.
"He was a mentor to me on environmental issues on the EQAC [Environmental Quality Advisory Council] board," said Howell.
De Noyer's fellow council members were also on hand to give the 21-year Herndon resident a scrapbook.
But equally touching was the comments from the citizens that know De Noyer best. The reception included an "open mic" portion where anyone could get up to speak, nearly a dozen people took advantage of the opportunity.
"Mr. De Noyer, I learned so much from you. I learned about the environment and computers from before my time," said John Dorman. "Thank you for all the wisdom you have imparted on my life."
Many of the speakers recalled stories about De Noyer and his passion for the environment. He and his wife, Ann Csonka, helped create and preserve Runnymede Park as a natural park, have organized and participated in the Friends of Runnymede Park, the Runnymede Rangers, and Tree Action among others.
"John and Ann have been great influences in our lives," said Beth Hardesty, who has known the family for 17 years. "They have come to my classroom. They have brought in all their animals. They have opened the world to my [English as a second language] students like they have opened our world."
DE NOYER, who earned his Ph.D. in geophysics, was also a senior executive in the fields of satellite technology and remote sensing for earth resources with the Department of Defense, NASA and the US Geological Survey. During his tenure on the council, he served on many boards and committees including the joint communications committee, level of service ad hoc committee, Main Street action plan commission, traffic and roads committee, and the Runnymede Park task force.
"We have one of the best weed control ordinances in the state of Virginia. When I was asked to draft it, I went to his home, and me and John and Ann sat down and went through all his books," said Richard Kaufman, the town attorney. "Our fowl ordinance, I had no idea what to write about fowl. Again, I went to his and Ann's house and asked to use his books."
Kaufman also told a story about visiting the town post office and finding De Noyer and Csonka planting flowers, just because the place needed some livening up.
MANY OF THE SPEAKERS used the term influence to describe De Noyer. His contributions to Herndon led to he and his wife being named Lord and Lady Fairfax in 2002. In addition, he has received the Best of Herndon Dulles award from the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce (2004), Friends of Trees award form the Fairfax County Tree Commission (1989), Citizen of the Year award from the Herndon Observer newspaper and Man of the Year from the Herndon Times newspaper (both in 1988), and the Distinguished Service Award from the Mayor's Volunteer Appreciation Program (1987).
"I'd like to thank him for being a tree hugger. Both he and Ann have been my mentor and my friend," said John Dudzinsky, the town's urban forester.
Judy Downer, a town planning commissioner, recalled a couple of stories from her days on the county's Planning Commission, including one that involved an abandoned house and the several female bats that used it as a nursery.
"Neighbors were scared to death the bats would go to their houses [if the house was torn down]. I called John," Downer said.
De Noyer suggested bat boxes be constructed and the house was able to come down. He was also the person she turned to when the county had its first monopole application.
"I knew nothing about monopoles. Who do I call? John," Downer said.
The impact of the reception also had an effect on De Noyer's family, many of whom were present to hear all the kind words.
"I want to thank you all for being a family to us," said Carol Brown, De Noyer's stepdaughter. "And I want to thank all of you."