2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 440
Celebrating the life of John William Lyver IV.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2025
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2025
WHEREAS, John William Lyver IV of Gainesville, a distinguished veteran of the United States Navy, former safety manager at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and passionate advocate for the well-being of the Prince William County community, died on June 16, 2024; and
WHEREAS, born in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, John Lyver graduated from the United States Naval Academy, where he sang in the choir and played trombone in the Drum & Bugle Corps; he went on to serve his country on active duty aboard the USS Du Pont and the USS Carl Vinson and later retired from the United States Navy Reserve with the rank of lieutenant commander; and
WHEREAS, in civilian life, John Lyver worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for nearly 25 years; as the nuclear flight safety assurance manager in the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, he led nuclear safety reviews of the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn, New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, and multiple missions to Mars before his well-earned retirement in 2012; and
WHEREAS, John Lyver furthered his education with two masters degrees and a doctorate from George Mason University, and after his retirement, he inspired students as an adjunct professor of computational data sciences at his alma mater, earning the Teacher of Distinction award for his outstanding online instruction; and
WHEREAS, John Lyver also taught at Northern Virginia Community College and was involved with many civic and service organizations, including the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution, and American Legion Post 1799; and
WHEREAS, an Eagle Scout, John Lyver founded Boy Scouts of America Troop 1577 in Herndon and was a volunteer leader for many years; he was also a longtime elder and deacon in the Presbyterian Church; and
WHEREAS, John Lyver was well-known in the region for his tenacity and intellectual prowess as a volunteer member of the Prince William Data Center Ordinance Advisory Group, where he developed detailed analyses on data center noise, power consumption, financial impact, and other effects on the community; and
WHEREAS, John Lyver had recently been appointed to the Prince William County Planning Commission and was proud to use his technical expertise to help county officials make well-informed decisions on land use and zoning; and
WHEREAS, John Lyver will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of nearly 16 years, Sally; his sons, John V and Thomas; his stepchildren, Stephanie and Andrew; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of John William Lyver IV, a distinguished veteran, respected scientist, and highly admired member of the Prince William County community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John William Lyver IV as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.