AMBASSADOR BERMELIN REMEMBERED

At Home Away From Home

Our visit to the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, in August 1999 was the
highlight of our trip to Scandinavia.
We were greeted very warmly by Doreen Hermelin on the steps of a truly
magnificent mansion, formerly owned by the Nobel family and now the
official residence of the American ambassador to Norway. At about the same
time her husband, David, our ambassador, arrived and greeted us in his
inimitable way. He apologized for being able to be with us for only a short
time he had a busy schedule that afternoon and was flying to Detroit the
next day for treatment.

Hyla Offen, Doreen Hermelin, David Hermelin (standing) and Sam Offen.

As we entered the residence, we couldn't help but notice a large mezuzah
on the doorpost. It is most likely the only such Jewish symbol at any Ameri-
can embassy anywhere in the world.
Once inside, David proudly became our tour guide. His great joy was the
kosher kitchen, which has three sets of dishes. He asked us if we would like
a kosher salami sandwich on Zeman's challah. (Well, did anyone ever say no
to David and get away with it?)
We ended up with a very nice lunch, graciously hosted by Doreen and
David. Instead of staying briefly; he was with us for over an hour, discussing
Detroit, Israel and Norway. We felt very special. It was an unforgettable experi-
ence; one we will always cherish.
Words cannot adequately describe the untimely passing of David Her-
melin, American ambassador to Norway and the rest of the world. A great
leader has fallen. May he rest in everlasting peace.
Our condolences go out to Doreen and the Hermelin family

11)42 and Sam Offen
West Bloomfield

A Relationship
Like No Other

Unlike some good friends, Ambas-
sador David B. Hermelin and I
weren't able to spend large amounts of
time together because of our impossi-
ble business, travel and philanthropic
endeavors. We shared a passion for the

Jewish people and a responsibility to
the Jewish and non-Jewish communi-
ties.
In addition to all this, our No. 1
priority was our family — a wonderful
wife, partner and friend, five kids
each, four girls and one boy (plus I
had two extra stepdaughters), fantastic
grandchildren, and sisters and their
children who needed our involvement.

So what was different and special
about our relationship? Even though
we couldn't spend a great deal of time
together, we always knew each other's
thoughts. Our minds and our hearts
were always in sync. A conversation
could continue after a week, a month
or even a year as if there were no lapse
of time.
Our discussions were deep, mean-
ingful and always helped expand our
vision and comprehension of the pre-
sent and the future. Whenever help
was needed, [his] response was posi-
tive and immediate. No questions
needed to be asked
because underlying our
relationship was a basic
understanding and trust.
The ease, comfort and
peace between us were
remarkable.
As for me, I cherish
all of those great experi-
ences that we shared and
from which I learned so
much. David enriched
my life and that of my
family. Every day, con-
sciously and uncon-
sciously, I will miss him,
but, for sure, he lives on
in my spirit and thought.

Joel Tauber
Southfield

Hermelin Tribute
On The Mark

As a participant in the awesome chal-
lenge of providing an appropriate and
meaningful tribute to this extraordi-
nary man, our entire community owes
you and your staff a debt of gratitude
for the beautiful way you prepared the
story of Ambassador David B. Her-
melin's life ("Forever Ours," Dec. 8).
There was such a perfect blend of
personal, professional, political and
communal tribute. Whether or not
you knew David personally, the
impact of David's influence on almost
every aspect of Jewish life, the reader
was left with the knowledge of just
how fortunate we have been to have
had him as "Forever Ours."
My 15-year-old daughter Stephanie
picked up your paper and began read-
ing, absorbing every inch of pho-
tographs and written word. She
looked up and simply said, "Wow!"
Ambassador Hermelin wowed
everyone who was blessed to know
him. Your tribute's ability to touch
everyone with that Hermelin magic is

a gift that was not only richly
deserved, but much needed by a com-
munity that mourns his loss.
May his memory be for a blessing.

David Techner
Ira Kaufman Chapel
Southfield

Never Too Busy
To Offer Advice

In a world of five or six billion people,
it takes an amazing, special and rare
person to make a real difference and
improve the quality of
life for so many people.
David Hermelin was
certainly one in a mil-
lion — and very proba-
bly one in a billion.
A little over five years
ago when I was consid-
ering leaving the practice
of law and looking for a
job as an assistant to a
world-class CEO, I cold-
called David from Los
Angeles.
An hour later, he
returned my call — hav-
ing no idea who I was and asking me
why I was calling him from Califor-
nia. A former Detroiter, I told him I
had heard great things about him, and
that others I knew and respected had
sought him out. I had heard he was
not the type to provide lip service, but
that he made things happen and was a
man of action.
I informed him I was coming to
town in a few days, and that I'd like to
meet with him. He agreed — and
asked me if I could meet him at a deli
at 7 a.m. on a Saturday. Despite the
early hour (4 a.m. Los Angeles time), I
agreed.
I remember asking myself: How
many wealthy, successful people wake
up early on a Saturday morning to
meet with others who are looking for
a break and seeking advice? Isn't early
Saturday morning a time for rest? Is
this guy out of his mind? I arrived at
the restaurant a few minutes early —
and was surprised to learn I was not
his first guest. He was holding court
with somebody else — and was busy
saying good-bye to another advice-
seeker (who was leaving with a confi-
dent smile).
During our hour-long meeting,
David gave me some great advice that
positively changed my life and influ-
enced what turned out to be a success-
ful employment search. At the time of

