The Foreign Service Journal, November 2014

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2014 63 Remembering a Born Diplomat and Consummate Professional BY JAMES T. L . DANDR I DGE I I APPRECIATION as a result of his diplomatic excellence. He was a born diplomat, a consummate professional who was dedicated to supporting the execution of American foreign policy. Unarguably one of America’s most effective Foreign Service officers, he was chief of mission at six embassies on three continents, and earned the highest rank in the Foreign Service, career ambassador. The American Heritage Dictionary characterizes diplomacy as tact and sensitivity in dealing with people. A major element in Amb. Todman’s success was his respect for individuals and cultures; he could deal with anyone, keeping his mind open and his judgments to himself. Also, he understood that governments were made up of people—individuals, with all their prejudices, C areer Ambassador Terence Alphonso Todman died on Aug. 13, and his life was celebrated in a memorial service on Aug. 28 in the George C. Marshall Center at the United States Department of State. Ambassador Todman’s service to his country spanned almost 50 years, and he continued to support the execution of U.S. foreign policy after his retirement. He was the 1997 recipient of the Director General’s Cup for the Foreign Service in recognition of his unceasing pro- motion of the U.S. Foreign Service as a diplomat in retirement. Many knew Amb. Todman, but even more had heard of him Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs Terence Todman, far right, at a Cabinet meeting with President Jimmy Carter, third from right, and Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, sixth from right, at the White House during the Panama Canal negotiations in 1977. Courtesy of James Dandridge II