April/May 2009

Special

In Memory of Greg Franta - A Legacy of Love, Laughter and Sustaining the World

By Annette K. Stelmack – Inspirit, LLC & Founding Chairwoman, US Green Building Council Colorado Chapter. 

Years ago, I felt like I had found home in the budding community of the U.S. Green Building Council.  At the front door stood Greg Franta – welcoming me in and asking why it had taken me so long.  And then I saw his delightful, mischievous smile! Greg was always there to offer his expertise and great sense of humor, and in between my tears, I can see his smiling face.

I fondly remember Greg over and over again stepping up to the plate graciously offering his support, as we formed the USGBC Colorado Chapter. He emceed our first major event, and naturally he drew a large crowd, dozens of people who like me loved being in a room with this engaging spirit of a man. We all laughed as he shared stories from the trenches with a perfect balance of sincerity, humor, and sage advice.

You see, Greg was "our" eco-superstar, deeply respected and loved, and practicing sustainability before many of us even knew what that meant. He possessed incredible energy and warmth, delightful modesty, and respectful mischief.  He was beyond the cutting edge of the green building movement and was one of the creators of the LEED Rating System, USGBC’s green building standards.

Greg, a natural teacher, taught sustainability simply by being himself; it was embedded in his DNA.  When I close my eyes, I can see the happiness and hear the laughter that encircled those of us lucky enough to have shared a meeting, a meal, a brainstorming session, a chat, or a hug with Greg as he described yet another escapade from his journey — a journey cut much too short.

Greg leaves us with enormous shoes to fill. We can each honor his life and memory by carrying   his message and spirit forward, by being our personal best, and joyously working to make a difference in the world, one step at a time. Greg Franta’s legacy - as an extraordinary architect and a funny, engaging, loving man - will always live within each of us.

It is a genuine privilege to share the following stories from Greg’s family, friends and colleagues.  Truly beyond measure, Greg has inspired folks around the world...we were so lucky that he lived in our backyard here in Colorado.  Enjoy and let them inspire us all to ‘BE THE DIFFERENCE’...just like Greg!

My Brother Greg - Marge Bean - Sister

Greg was the baby in our family, born in Graceville, Minnesota, with German and Norwegian heritage.  Early years he lived in Ortonville, and in his school years through High School he lived in Willmar, Minnesota.  Our parents, brother Bernie, sister Joan, and I as well as an extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends surrounded our youngest brother with love and support. At the many family gatherings there was always a lot of laughter and craziness, especially by my dad and uncles, as they played practical jokes on each other.  I think this is where Greg acquired his sense of fun, and love of people.  Greg also got his ability to engage all kinds of people from Dad as well as some of his drawing skills.  Dad was a draftsman and civil engineer designing highways and airports in Minnesota in the 1940’s.

Read More from Marge Bean

Flying With Greg

Greg, it seems wrong to be sharing these thoughts without you being physically present; I had imagined it the other way around.  When the news came that you had been found in your car, I was angry that your incandescent life, like the light bulbs you railed against, had gone out too soon.  But I know you are with us.  You were so good at giving and receiving love that I’m sure you have been enjoying all the love and accolades coming your way since the accident took you from our sight. 

Read More from Bob Berkebile

Stories from Lil’ Bros’

I first met Greg during the Greening of the White House.  He was the shy one in the corner....

We immediately hit it off. His humor mixed with sound thoughts and intelligence made him instantly someone I admired and imagined as a great mentor.  At that time, I had could not have imagined how he would grow over the next 15+ years into a very dear friend and colleague.

We crossed paths at conferences for several years, but then I was hired by RMI, and we were soon side by side working - he as a hired gun to RMI prior to the merger - with a wide range of clients, facilitating charrettes and steering design teams and owners to a greener solution. Our bonding experience was a weeklong trip to Singapore. We were 2 of 5 flown in as green building experts. As soon as we arrived - a day early to adjust to the time zone - Greg had us all on a boat to a neighboring island to hang on the beach. Cocktails and sun made us into ‘lobsters’ for the week (or was that just me....?). 

Read More from Gunnar Hubbard

Laughter with a Crooked Gate

Greg beamed. And he danced with a crooked gate and laughed more freely then most and told goofy Swedish jokes and changed the world in his way with the work that he did. Greg was an amazing mentor to me on all accounts. He taught me that a little spice and a little kick would make things a lot more fun, and thatpeople would learn a lot better if they were having fun. He taught me in fact that that was the onlyway we were going to make any real headway towards these goals of sustainability: to have fun! And to connect with each other a little bit deeper and a little bit more.

Greg stuck with green when it went out of style, and was there in the front when it came back in withvengeance. His perseverance and resulting experience made him a wealth of knowledge and he approached new projects with open eyes and total commitment. What a joy to see someone love what they do so much, and to do it with such splendor and effectiveness.

We lost a hugepresence, a powerfulforce, and afaucetof love in Greg. He will be missed.

Lauren Yarmuth – YRG Sustainability

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CBG /April/May 2009