Asian Quest

Dedicated to the Memory of Charlie Helmken

Asian wind blowing, Gentle, brisk and sometimes strong, Scrubbing the slate clean. -- written on the occasion of the semi-retirement of my friend Charlie Helmken

Everyone deserves a mentor.

Charlie Helmken was mine.  He spotted me during the annual conference of the American Alumni Council in 1970 during the presentation of my 3-screen "dog-and-pony" show promoting the Choate Rosemary Hall  fund campaign.  As the first multi-media show in behalf of education, the show earned the George Brakeley Award for Innovation in Fund Raising.

After he included me on the faculty of a number of workshops, he engineered my appointment in 1972 to the staff of the American Alumni Council, based in Washington, D. C. [later assuming the name of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, or CASE].

That appointment changed the direction of my life, opening me up to an international arena.

Equally important to me was Charlie's passion for Asia, especially Japan.  My first trip to Asia was to join him for Christmas and New Year's in Tokyo and Kyoto.  My fascination with Asia grew rapidly, especially my interest in Asian social and spiritual values.

Steve Grant of the United States Agency for International Development, for whom I worked on a free-lance assignment in West Africa shortly after leaving CASE, was responsible to introducing me to colleagues who advised me:  "If you want to live in Asia, the Philippines is the best location for an American -- and the Asian Development Bank is the best place to work."

It took seven years after my initial application to ADB to finally earn an invitation to join its Information Office, as the officer responsble for audio-visual affairs and electronic media relations.

My personal Asian Quest has made all the difference.

Thank you, Charlie.  And my wishes are with you during your current quest into the infinite world of the spirit.