bout de papier, Vol. 24, No. 4 (2009) — Winter 2009 // Hiver 2009, pp. 42–43
As a young officer in 1955 I was assigned to work for Ken Williamson in the Eastern European section of European division. Because my older sister had been one of his classmates I was aware of his brilliant academic record at the University of Manitoba: editor of the student paper, member of the student council, gold medallist. Now I had a chance to see for myself. Recently returned from Prague, after a previous posting in Rome, he was a knowledgeable and shrewd analyst who produced clear, incisive documents with great speed. He went beyond the usual formal mentoring of a new recruit by inviting me to his home where I met his wife Pat, a musician, and his young children.
As the years passed we never worked together again, but we met whenever we were both in Ottawa, and I kept track of his impressive career. He had subsequent postings in Santiago, Berlin and Washington. There followed three assignments as Head of Mission: Ankara, the Organization of American States and Havana. I learned that at each of these he and Pat voluntarily went native, speaking Italian, Czech, Spanish, German and Turkish, in addition to the usual civil service French.
On retirement he returned to the academic pursuits he had given up to join the foreign service. As a student in the Religious Studies Department of the University of Ottawa he earned an M.A. for a thesis on liberation theology, a subject which had fascinated him as a result of his Latin American postings. He went on to complete a PhD with a thesis on concepts of the Church in contemporary theology. He was an active member of the Anglican church. He was finishing a study of divinity and the universality of the human spirit at the time of his death.
Despite his studies he found time to participate in various organizations relating to international affairs. The Retired Heads of Mission Association of course, but also the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, the Society for International Development and the Group of 78. We attended their meetings together. He was a frequent commentator and questioner, especially on areas such as Latin America and the Middle East where he had first-hand knowledge. His particular concern was with Canada’s ethical stance in a world of haves and have-nots. I have happy memories of working with him in a CIIA study group, of which I was host, on an appropriate security policy for Canada and on preparations for a Group of 78 conference on the same subject.
Ken and Pat loved to travel — particularly to Oman where one of his daughters now lives. (He made enough of an impression there that his daughter had to turn down offers to sacrifice camels to mark his passing — which would have given him quiet amusement.) They were frequently at concerts, dance performances and plays. They were excellent hosts — their annual buffet dinner with carols (Pat at the harpsichord) was always a highlight of our Christmas season.
Ken will be greatly missed by his many friends.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 24, No. 4 (2009) — Winter 2009 // Hiver 2009, pp. 42–43. Read the rest of this issue →
