The Foreign Service Journal, December 2007

went out of his way to help people with a range of issues such as assign- ments, low rankings and medical clearances. He was very knowledge- able and kind, and truly dedicated to trying to make the Foreign Service better for its employees.” Scissors retired from this position in 1999 and, the next year, was elected to the AFSA Governing Board, where he served as a retiree representative for two years (2001-2002). “I can say without reservation that no FSO I know had a greater respect and appre- ciation for the work of AFSA in defending and supporting the Foreign Service than he did,” says AFSA Retiree Vice President Bill Farrand, recalling his friend and colleague of 35 years. At a memorial service at DACOR- Bacon House on Oct. 7, family mem- bers, friends and colleagues celebrat- ed Scissors’ life. They praised his extraordinary kindness and generosity, as well as his sharp and analytical mind, keen memory and enviable abil- ity to write clearly and cogently. As his wife recalled, he also had a great sense of humor and one of the biggest laughs imaginable. Many of them came at the dining room table after a wonderful meal and good wine with family and friends, she added. Besides his immediate family, Scissors loved and often mentored the young people to whom he was closest: his nieces and nephews, and the Mul- len clan of New Hampshire. One of them offered this tribute at the memo- rial service: “What I will always remember about Uncle Dick is his intelligence, his kindness, his generos- ity, sense of humor and legendary laugh! Most important for me was his remarkable ability to listen. He always took such a keen interest in my life, my goals and my interests. This is some- thing he did for each of us, and I will never forget it.” Scissors was formerly married to Rochelle Edelman Scissors. He leaves his wife, Patricia, of Chevy Chase, Md.; two sons, Derek of Bethesda, Md., and Curtis of Jonesborough, Tenn.; and two grandchildren, Rachel and Naomi of Bethesda. 52 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 7 Dick Scissors at his desk.