The Foreign Service Journal, March 2019

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2019 53 When AFSA’s executive director wrote to Bush, thanking him for the interview, the former president sent a personal note back: “Your letter was most thoughtful; but, I assure you, the pleasure was mine. I don’t accept many interview requests these days, but I was happy to be invited to interview for this issue of the FSJ . Your warm sentiments meant a lot to me. When you get to be an old guy, kind words go a long, long way. Warmest regards to you.” Susan B. Maitra is the Journal ’ s managing editor. The Measure of a Person By John Rendeiro W armth, friendliness and concern for all others were quali- ties for which President George H.W. Bush was rightly renowned. I had the good fortune to experience them firsthand on a couple occasions. The first time was in Moscow, during the summer of 1991, when President Bush came to Moscow on an official visit for summit meetings with Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin. During that visit, the president met with the entire embassy staff in the embassy compound gymnasium, shaking hands and min- gling with everyone. After that, he and Mrs. Bush met separately with the security staff; he took his time and in a very relaxed fashion spoke with each of us. The 1993 boat ride on Lake Lugano. President George H.W. Bush (back row, center) and RSO John Rendeiro (to his right) are accompanied by Secret Service agents. COURTESYOFJOHNRENDEIRO