Roland "Commander" Sykes
June 1st, 1953 - March 10th, 2008
Wizard, Bit Twiddler, Philosopher, Teacher, and most fun of
all...
The Bus Driver for ADAPT
From: John Lorence Jr.
To all who knew Commander Sykes,
I knew Roland for 17 years as he touched the lives of TRIPIL and ADAPT.
He was a mentor and leader who taught me many valuable lessons about working with others to promote the philosophy of equality and how it really relates to the independent living movement.
My most powerful memory of Roland was a note he left on my computer screen as I worked at and grew into being an organizer of people with disabilities: "The greatest gift you can ever give someone is to make them believe."
My condolences to all who will miss him as I do, but know that Roland will live on in the way all should hope to spend eternity...as a positive impact on history.
The picture is small memorial to Roland outside TRIPIL's Waynesburg office.
John Lorence Jr
