A little more than a month after announcing that he would not be returning to his role at the Environmental Defense Center because of undergoing cancer treatment, former Executive Director Owen Bailey died Friday at age 53.
“Owen served as EDC’s fearless and compassionate leader for over nine years, and he made an impact on every one of us who had a chance to meet him and work with him,” EDC said in a tribute to Bailey, announcing his passing. “With his relentless passion, determination, and unmatchable ability to tell a story, Owen’s inspiration and direction helped lead our community and develop EDC to be the strong organization we are today.”
Bailey had been battling cancer for about five years and, as EDC Chief Counsel and Acting Executive Director Linda Krop said, he continued to work through it until last October when he took a leave of absence to regain his strength.
On May 17, Bailey sent out an email announcing that he would not be returning to his role as EDC’s executive director as the cancer “turned out to be a harder struggle than [he] had hoped.”
“It has been one of the great prides of my life to work with EDC to help protect our climate and local environment,” Bailey said in his announcement. “I have treasured my opportunity to work with the most gifted and dedicated staff and incredible, passionate board I could ever imagine. … I want to thank you for all the support and friendship that you have offered EDC over my nine years and beyond.”
Bailey served as EDC’s executive director since 2013, but EDC first met him before that — when he worked for the Sierra Club and its coastal campaign — as they worked together in the effort to preserve Hearst Ranch, as well as in the “victorious fight” against BHP Billiton’s liquefied natural gas proposal offshore Oxnard.
“He was so adept at bringing issues to life, talking to the public … constantly inspiring people to take action and feel empowered,” Krop said. “Owen really gave people the feeling that we could make a difference.”
Krop said that when Bailey joined the EDC staff in January 2013 — after moving to Santa Barbara from Encino, Calif., with his wife and two children — he became the face and voice of the organization.
Others who worked with him, including EDC board president Judy Pirkowitsch, remembered Bailey’s leadership and how much of a “phenomenal” speaker he was.
“His sense of humor was unique and front-and-center,” Pirkowitsch said. “In terms of a phenomenal leader, he really had the ability to communicate effectively and passionately.”
Additionally, those who knew Bailey spoke of him being very charismatic and motivational, expressing the privilege they felt to work with him.
Details of a celebration of life for Bailey have not yet been announced, but EDC said it will notify people when one is scheduled.
“He never gave up home that we could make a difference, and he let every one of us know how important our individual contributions were to the fight,” EDC said in its tribute. “We will all miss Owen. We will honor his memory and his commitment by continuing our work. We will strive to emulate his conviction and passion. Owen will always be part of EDC.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Serena Guentz can be reached at sguentz@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.