I was saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Boucher. I was the press attaché at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong during his final year there as Consul General. I’ll admit that the prospect of being press officer for the master press officer was a bit intimidating. But he himself never was.
He was warm and supportive, and despite his extensive experience as Department spokesman, he never tried to micromanage our consulate press office. He sought my opinion on press matters and respected my judgment, for which I was profoundly grateful. And I learned a lot from him when he shared his experience.
I remember once I had to call him late at night with a press question. I apologized the next day, but he just laughed and proceeded to regale me with stories about all the times he had been awakened as press spokesman.
Ambassador Boucher was our Consul General in Hong Kong 1996 to 1999. He insisted that all/all meeting briefing papers follow this format: a one-page briefing memo (both sides if complex topic), attachments allowed but sparingly, and, most importantly, he demanded a 3×5 card with abbreviated talking points (both sides allowed if complex). Eventually, we understood that it forced drafters to condense the points to just the most important ideas. For his going away party, I penned a little Burma Shave-like ditty for the Econ/Pol Section which read: “Ever constant did we strive to say it on a 3×5.” Framed and presented, I saw it on his wall at the Department when I went to a meeting with him.
After Hong Kong’s reversion to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, he told the Consulate staff that we needed to “Swat Flies,” and by that he meant being alert to mistakes. For example, folks in DC decided now Hong Kong was China and export contrls applied. Took a week or two to fix that. We also had to keep our eyes open for Hong Konger “pre-emptive capitulation,” i.e. giving up their rights in anticipation of the PRC’s desires.
When first introduced at an AmCham meeting, he was asked how he wanted to be address, “Mr. Ambassador, Ambassador Boucher, Mr. Consul General?” He thought for a moment and replied, “Just Richard.” Thus his humility shown through.
At an AmCham Hong Kong-hosted event, he was asked to introduce the guest speaker. Knowing all came to hear the guest speaker, he began: “Some are known instantly by their first name, such as “Madonna,” for example. Ladies and gentlement, please welcome USTR Charlene.” He had a lively and articulate sense of humor which we all appreciated.
He was, truly, a gifted and consumate diplomat and an inspiring leader. He will be missed but he will be remembered.
Nice job, Nick, in capturing Richard's influence and humanity. As a young-ish bureau press officer, I was always a little scared to brief him, as I knew his knowledge of most issues was much deeper than my own. But when I stepped down as Acting Spokesperson in 2016, he sent me the kindest email, thanking me for doing the job during a particularly tough time. That email meant more to me than gold. He'll be missed.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Boucher. I was the press attaché at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong during his final year there as Consul General. I’ll admit that the prospect of being press officer for the master press officer was a bit intimidating. But he himself never was.
He was warm and supportive, and despite his extensive experience as Department spokesman, he never tried to micromanage our consulate press office. He sought my opinion on press matters and respected my judgment, for which I was profoundly grateful. And I learned a lot from him when he shared his experience.
I remember once I had to call him late at night with a press question. I apologized the next day, but he just laughed and proceeded to regale me with stories about all the times he had been awakened as press spokesman.
A fine professional, and a fine human being.
Ambassador Boucher was our Consul General in Hong Kong 1996 to 1999. He insisted that all/all meeting briefing papers follow this format: a one-page briefing memo (both sides if complex topic), attachments allowed but sparingly, and, most importantly, he demanded a 3×5 card with abbreviated talking points (both sides allowed if complex). Eventually, we understood that it forced drafters to condense the points to just the most important ideas. For his going away party, I penned a little Burma Shave-like ditty for the Econ/Pol Section which read: “Ever constant did we strive to say it on a 3×5.” Framed and presented, I saw it on his wall at the Department when I went to a meeting with him.
After Hong Kong’s reversion to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, he told the Consulate staff that we needed to “Swat Flies,” and by that he meant being alert to mistakes. For example, folks in DC decided now Hong Kong was China and export contrls applied. Took a week or two to fix that. We also had to keep our eyes open for Hong Konger “pre-emptive capitulation,” i.e. giving up their rights in anticipation of the PRC’s desires.
When first introduced at an AmCham meeting, he was asked how he wanted to be address, “Mr. Ambassador, Ambassador Boucher, Mr. Consul General?” He thought for a moment and replied, “Just Richard.” Thus his humility shown through.
At an AmCham Hong Kong-hosted event, he was asked to introduce the guest speaker. Knowing all came to hear the guest speaker, he began: “Some are known instantly by their first name, such as “Madonna,” for example. Ladies and gentlement, please welcome USTR Charlene.” He had a lively and articulate sense of humor which we all appreciated.
He was, truly, a gifted and consumate diplomat and an inspiring leader. He will be missed but he will be remembered.
Nice job, Nick, in capturing Richard's influence and humanity. As a young-ish bureau press officer, I was always a little scared to brief him, as I knew his knowledge of most issues was much deeper than my own. But when I stepped down as Acting Spokesperson in 2016, he sent me the kindest email, thanking me for doing the job during a particularly tough time. That email meant more to me than gold. He'll be missed.