They say its your birthday, Miss your input, Thanks for everything you showed me and the infinite possibilities. You were a huge influence. Rest peacefully. Russell

4years and 1day after Joes passing six motorcycles escorted some remaining ashes to the Florida Keys and scattered the remains on the beach at the base of the 7 mile bridge. I know he would have loved that. RIP 12/16/17

12/15/15
  Two years. Seems like just the other day I would seek your good advice. Miss the sage advice, miss you. RIP. Russell

Joe was a very good friend for over 35 years. Throughout many changes and phases of his life, he was a true original, with a style and presence that was impossible to ignore! I will always remember him as an exuberant and charismatic leader, full of life and fun to be around. Memories of Joe will always make me smile.

I had only a few years to know and have the privilege of a friendship with Joe. Having spent 20+ years with SAIC, I watched him from afar for several years before fate put us together in the same organization.  

Joe always had a soft spot for those who protect and prepare for the worst and saw through the showboats and gave total support to those of us who wanted to take risks to bid work in new domains. He believed in us, he valued the mission. Time and again Joe stepped in to support us when others said it wasn’t worth the investment, and his unwavering commitment allowed SAIC to build beyond the Biomedical Sciences Group to achieve qualifications that would never have otherwise achieved. 

Joe believed in the technical people who delivered day and day out.  He supported them, defended them, and was always loyal to them. Most of all, he was never threatened by the talents or drive of the people around him, he was comfortable with his place and his knowledge. This often brought the best out in those working for him.  So, in short he was loyal, motivational, and a calm force at least from my vantage point of working for him. He was generous, not selfish.

Although I never knew Joe in a social setting, his work with Fairfax Harley-Davidson, fishing in southern Florida, or his outside friendships, I think he lived life well, enjoyed trust and friendships earned by being there for others, and he liked to see people excel and succeed. That was so refreshing and it gave us strength to push on.

My memories of the 17 or 18 years during which I knew Joe will always be happy ones, and it was my sense he lived life well and I am sure he has a great place in heaven, free from the torture and human frailties that took him down in recent years. He touched a lot of us with his friendship and his generosity and I for one will always think happy thoughts when I hear his name and know he made a difference by helping hard-working people succeed and grow, fighting for the honorable outcomes, and in bringing so many of us who never would have had the privilege of working together in one place to do important work of high value to humankind. Thank you, Joe, I will miss you but I have the privilege of remembering you in your prime, larger than life, and on fire. Heaven is a better place today.

Bob Coullahan

One of the Great Ones!

My first memory .....I was newly hired at SAIC, and Joe hosted a holiday party. I was very impressed with the crab puffs, the dressy event and the piano music thinking I could get used to this! I was somehow introduced to his team as "Trixie Beyster" (slight joke), and I never expected anyone to remember, but they did, and I still get "Trixie" as a nickname. He didn't forget his people, he took care of everyone, it was the best time I ever had working at SAIC was under his leadership.  I felt like family, and that has carried over into the wonderful relationships made during that time. Thank you Joe Soukup for making it clear that the people are what mattered, and for being inspirational when I see the devotion people have to you.