Message from the General Counsel:

NASA Mourns the Loss of Deputy General Counsel Keith T. Sefton ,, Keith T. Sefton, deputy general counsel of NASA, passed away early this morning after a struggle with cancer.

Keith was known by his call sign, "Words," both for his prodigious talent as a writer and his ability to get right to the point. If Diogenes were still searching for the "honest man," it would only be because he hadn't yet met Keith. He made everyone better by his presence.

Keith was born on the Marine Corps birthday, Nov. 10, and his life of devotion to his country came to be defined by his proud and honorable 30 years service in the Marines and his five dedicated years of service at NASA. In the Marines, Keith was a combat engineer and then a judge advocate, retiring as a colonel. He would have been 62 next Monday, the Marine Corps 233rd birthday.

He initially came to NASA in 2003 to assist with the Columbia accident investigation, where he worked countless hours on this important duty, and was asked to remain with the Office of the General Counsel as chief of staff. Keith became the agency's deputy general counsel in 2004 and his contributions to NASA were recognized by his selection this year as a Presidential Rank awardee.

Keith is survived by his wife, Carol, his two married daughters, Holly and Heather, and six grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are currently being planned.

Michael C. Wholley