Remembering N.G. Kaul

N.G. Kaul

N.G. Kaul, former director of the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water, died on February 25, 2004. His death was a shock because most people were unaware of the seriousness of his illness and because of his relatively young age—we just don’t expect a person to die at 57.

N.G. Kaul was a highly respected engineer, an emigrant from India who fulfilled the American dream of opportunity realized. He had a distinguished career in public service, first with New York City and then with the New York State DEC, rising to the position of director of the Division of Water in 1992. That service was capped, upon his retirement in 2002, by his appointment as director of the Environmental Protection Agency effort to implement the dredging of PCB-polluted sediments in the Hudson River, the most intractable water pollution problem in the state.

N.G. Kaul was respected not only for his engineering and administrative skills, but also for his human qualities. He had a great sense of humor, which helped to smooth out the conflicts that often arose when dealing with tough issues. He respected his professional colleagues and was loyal to his associates. He understood the political and economic pressures that went with his position and handled them adroitly. His superiors recognized and respected him for the exceptional qualities he brought to his responsibilities and assignments. All of this was evident at his memorial service as his daughter and brother paid tribute to him. Laughter rippled through the crowd as his brother told of some of his experiences with his brother. His wife, daughter, and brother graciously greeted and spoke to the many individuals who came to pay tribute. The true feelings of loss were demonstrated by the many members of the capital area Indian American community who were present, by the large numbers of his colleagues and superiors from the DEC, by the tribute paid to him by Phil DeGaetano, his assistant director—and by the many people in tears.

N.G. Kaul was a unique individual and he will be missed.

—Robert D. Hennigan