Name: Joseph Gawler's Sons, LLC
Address: Washington, DC

I heard Ambassador Laingen speak in Washington, DC when I was a student from his home state of Minnesota. I have my notes from that event nearly 40 years ago. I share them with you in gratitude: "Hello, and your name is?" I told him, then asked, "Mr. Ambassador, may I ask you a question?" "Yes, certainly." "In your speech, you mentioned your 'love affair' with your country. Was it love at first sight?" "How could it not be," he said, "growing up in Southern Minnesota?" "I see," I responded. "But was it difficult for you, before you became an ambassador, to determine what role the United States should play in the world, or what role you might have in it?" "Of course! I still don't know." He said his love affair with the United States began during the time he was held hostage, as his love affair with Minnesota had begun as a child. "It was the way we were supported and brought back. How could I not love my Country?" Other questions were posed next and he acknowledged that the United States had difficulties but it did not affect his love affair "any more than another relationship would be affected by such changes."

I extend most sincere condolences to the family of Bruce Laingen from my wife Mitchie and myself. I was fortunate to serve with Ambassador Laingen when we worked at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. I was Director of the Institute for National Strategic Studies and the Ambassador was the ranking representative of the State Department which co-sponsors the university. 
May he rest in peace and with the knowledge that his persona will remain vividly alive in the hearts of all who ever met him.
Sincerely, John and Mitchie Endicott, President, Woosong University, ROK

Unlike many others who knew and admired Bruce in his earlier times,  I knew him only by legend and met him just days before his passing.  His family by his side, he graciously and courageously showed up at the annual but simple neighborhood  Memorial Day celebration near his home in Bethesda, MD.   To me, he was a towering figure of integrity and authenticity, a model of diplomatic positivism of what could be achieved.  Looking at him sitting there surrounded by family members in the playground of the local pre-schooI, I could not but admire and respect him for the strength of his character and his resolution.  Sitting in his wheelchair smiling, his memory a distant recollection of the past, and holding hands with those known and unknown to him, I marveled at his spirit and tenacity in this 4th quarter of his life.  I respectfully took his hand, expressed my gratitude for his life long service and tipped my hat to a great man and his legendary accomplishments.  Wishing there were more like him.  And yet, given his inspirational life, I am sure there are.  He is a true model of what man/woman kind should aspire to be. 

I met Bruce and Penne in Karachi, Pakistan in July 1963,  Bruce was a rising star in  the Foreign Service.  My fiancee, Werner Brandt, was on his first assignment as an FSO.  Halfway through his tour, Werner returned to NYC, we married, and returned to Karachi.

Bruce and Penne were incredibly warm and generous.  They  hosted a fun-filled welcome-back gathering, and presented us with a beautiful, handmade, painted tray from Srinagar.  The tray, in orange and black, depicts various animals, real and mystical, scampering through a forest.  Looking at the tray today is still as magical as it was then.

Bruce and Penne helped ease my way into a new and adventurous life.  It was wonderful to have known them.

Hugs to all the family,
Martha Brandt


To the family and loved ones of Ambassador Laingen, 

When I was in my twenties and just out of college, I started working for the World Affairs Council of Washington, DC.  I was there from 1987 until 1998 and had the honor of sharing suite space with Ambassador Laingen.  I just adored both he and Ambassador Atherton, who both attended our suite's holiday dinner one year at my little basement apartment in Georgetown.  I remember hiking with Ambassador Laingen and just enjoying his positive, intelligent spirit.  I hold his signed book Yellow Ribbon close and am saddened by his death, but grateful that I knew such an amazing human being.  I was actually in Maryland at the time of his passing visiting my Navy nephew who has just been assigned back in Annapolis.  I was thinking that weekend, wouldn't it be great if I could introduce my nephew to Ambassador Laingen....Loving thoughts, Cynthia 

Hello, Penne,

My deepest condolences for the loss of Bruce.  He was a great man.  I still cherish the letter he wrote to me while he was being held in Tehran, and the copy of Yellow Ribbon he autographed for my wife Jodi and me after his return.  He was one of the best.

I hope you and your family are doing okay.

All best wishes,

Joe Keyerleber and Jodi Crandall
Sunday Iran Hostage Vigil organizers

My heartfelt condolences for the passing away of Ambassador Lowell Bruce Laingen.
As the offspring of an Iranian foreign service officer, I consider myself fortunate to have met him during his lifetime.  His common touch of grace and humanity was something my dad too had in abundance.  I carry fond memories of how he kept his word in meeting me one day at a bookstore close to his home in Bethesda.  Improving American-Iranian relations was foremost on his thoughts, regardless of the ordeal he had been through himself in Iran.  May the Prince of Peace give  comfort to his immediate family, Penelope, William, Charles and James in their sense of loss of a gem of a human being such as their beloved departed.   Regards, Andy 'Anooshirvan' Batmanghelidj

Bruce Laingen  …
Bruce and Penne Laingen and their three boys, were our next door neighbours when Bruce was appointed US Ambassador to Malta.
Throughout their posting here, Bruce and Penne made many friends, they opened their doors to all, and showed us what the very best of Americans were like. Bruce was proud of his country and his Naval and diplomatic career, Penne was supportive most of all during the trying time of  Bruce’s captivity. We have many wonderful memories of our times together both here and in the US when we visited.  He will be sadly missed by his family and friends, and the old oak tree will forever have a yellow ribbon tied around it.
John and Pippa Mattei, Malta


I extend my most sincere condolences to the family of Bruce Laingen. We were colleagues in the U. S. Foreign Service, having been  brought together briefly in 1979 after my assignment as  ambassador to the new Islamic Republic of Iran was cancelled at the last minute, and before Bruce  subsequently went to Tehran as charge d'affaires. I also recall the joy of greeting Bruce and the other refugees when they finally returned to the State Department after so many months of detention. Bruce was among the very best and brightest of our diplomats, and it was an honor to have known and served with him.

Walter Cutler

L. Bruce Laingen  was a stellar diplomat.  His correspondence during the Iran Hostage Crisis is in the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress.   I read his account of growing up in Minnesota during the Depression.  He had a favorable opinion of American Peace Corps service .  He will be missed.


AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Lowell Bruce Laingen

6 août 1922 – 15 juillet 2019

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

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