"My father had been in the German Diplomatic Service, and although he had been in the United States since World War II and out of diplomacy, it was something that was very much talked about in the family. So when I went to college, it was always my intention to try to get into the Foreign Service."

"David Bruce, I think, is one of the outstanding persons for whom I've ever worked. He had a sense of balance. He was interested in everything that went on in the Embassy. He delegated authority, but at the same time when you needed the Ambassador's help on anything, you could go to him, and he would immediately respond."

"It was the view of the people in the Department of State that the handling of Yemen affairs from Aden was too much of a burden on the then Consul, so an additional officer was named to the American Consulate at Aden to handle Yemeni affairs. I was designated for that task."

"The minute anyone's getting anxious I say, You must eat and you must sleep. They're the two vital elements for a healthy life."

"I was a science fiction junkie for a long time."

"Having regrets and things, it just takes your time away."

"I'm always interested in looking forward toward the future. Carving out new ways of looking at things."