As you know from my previous communication, Professor Dr. Robert G. Wetzel, General Secretary and Treasurer of SIL, died of cancer on 18 April 2005. Dr. Wetzel carefully considered the welfare of SIL soon after the diagnosis of his illness. Together, he I, and with the approval of the Executive Board, arranged for his SIL responsibilities to be transferred to Prof. William Lewis of the University of Colorado on a temporary basis, and until SIL can have an election for General Secretary and Treasurer through its usual election procedures at the upcoming Montreal Congress.

During Prof. Wetzel's illness, Prof. Lewis was doing part of the work of General Secretary and Treasurer. Now that Prof. Wetzel is gone, Prof. Lewis will assume the full responsibilities of General Secretary and Treasurer for SIL and his title will be "Acting General Secretary and Treasurer."

He has received detailed instructions from Prof. Wetzel and is prepared to carry through on Prof. Wetzel's work until we elect a replacement.

I wanted to inform you of this arrangement as soon as possible to maintain an orderly transition for our society, and in accordance with the final wishes of Prof. Wetzel.

Gene E. Likens,
President, SIL