Memories of James L. Roush from his friends at the United Nations Association of Wake County.
Man of simplicities, man of enormities, man of kindnesses. In a foreign service career that spanned 40 years, Jim Roush worked tirelessly for world peace and human rights in more than 55 countries, including his own. He was Ivy League educated, well-traveled, erudite, professional, genteel, multilingual, sophisticated, admired. His resume was impressive; his character more so. Jim was a gentle, principled man who perceived needs around him and stepped forward to help out of a deep well of empathy and compassion.
If we were to canvas the 55-plus countries Jim Roush visited and the communities he graced in this country, I suspect we would find countless stories – countless times and ways this generous, gracious man of the world eased the way for people around him. Above all else, Jim Roush was kind. I believe that kindness is still the most powerful force for peace in this world.
Margaret Toman
Jim Roush came to Raleigh in the late 1990s after 40 years of experience in foreign service and international relations, including 25 years with USAID as a foreign service officer in many countries all over the world and as a consultant in foreign affairs. He was a dedicated advocate for peace as director of the Foundation for P.E.A.C.E. and as publisher and editor of the magazine Peace in Action, which he sent at his own expense to legislators and congressional representatives. He was committed to the ideals of the United Nations and was a leader in the United Nations Associations of Fairfax, Va., Raleigh and Asheville. He made invaluable contributions to the Wake County United Nations Association chapter and to Raleigh and the Triangle. He was committed to teaching others about the work and goals of the United Nations. He gave lectures to school groups and organizations about the history and principles of the United Nations. He was an avid collector of literature about the UN and foreign policy, which he displayed and made available at UNA meetings. He served on the board and as vice president and president of the Wake County UNA chapter. Before he left Raleigh to live in Asheville, the Wake County chapter of UNA presented him with its highest honor, the Dag Hammarskjold Award. Jim Roush brought to Raleigh and the Triangle a dedication and commitment to peace and knowledge of foreign affairs and the United Nations that will be remembered and cherished for many years to come. We were sorry to learn of his untimely death on June 18, 2012.
IT Littleton
I joined the UNA-Wake board in 2005 when Jim was president, and at his request I started a newsletter for our chapter. Jim and I were in frequent contact by email about items for the newsletter, but I never got to know him on a personal level. I must say, however, that from all my dealings with him I got the clear impression that his devotion to the cause of peace came from his soul, because he was a gentle yet principled man who never insisted that things be done his way and who was always ready to make compromises where he could. I used to tease him about the many boxes of brochures and pamphlets on UN programs he would set out at each chapter meetings for the members to read. But I soon learned that in Jim’s view, no effort is too large if it is in the cause of peace.
Robert Lamb
Every UNA chapter should have a Jim Roush. He had more ideas, more contacts, more literature and more energy than almost anyone, and he was a wonderful asset to the Wake County chapter. He will be missed by all of us who believe that the United Nations is an essential organization if there is to be a future for the world. We send our love and sympathy to Gail and members of the family.
Cy and Carolyn King
James L. Roush made a huge impact on the educational programs of the Wake County chapter of the United Nations Association. As program chair Jim arranged speakers from his friends at USAID and other connections and increased the Wake chapter meetings to monthly and even semi-monthly with both lunch and supper programs He also served as vice president and president. Jim gave talks on peace and conflict reduction in public schools and organized workshops at the Annual Conference of Social Science Teachers in Greensboro. He provided educational materials for class use to teachers and concerned citizens at meetings about international issues, particularly the UN. He always came to meetings with boxes full of documents on a wide variety of international matters to distribute. His contribution to education on peace and conflict included not only UNA chapter meetings and the Greensboro Conference but also the World Affairs Institute in Black Mountain and the large day-long conferences arranged jointly with the West Triangle chapter in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. After Jim left Raleigh he continued his leadership in the Western North Carolina UNA chapter. Those of us who knew and worked with Jim have learned and benefitted much from his unflagging energy in working for world peace and understanding. The world will miss him but celebrate his many accomplishments.
Ed Klemmer
Jim Roush was known for accomplishing big with the small amount of resources. I have known Jim since 2002 at UNA-Wake. His passion for bringing global education to our community and advocating for the United Nations work impressed me from day one. Shortly after we met, he invited me to join the UNA board, and it didn’t take much time to organize a successful conference to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the UN in Raleigh. After he moved to Asheville, and I founded a new nonprofit, WomenNC, I continued my friendship with him. His encouragement and support was effective in my challenges with the new organization. He started raising funds for WomenNC in Asheville and supported the idea of establishing the Carolyn King Scholarship in Raleigh. His loss is profoundly felt for all the philanthropists in North Carolina who think globally and act locally, for the UNA chapters and for those of us who knew him as a role model. His memory remains with us as a sincere friend and a human rights activist with a great passion for global education.
Beth Dehghan
We add those of UNA-Wake who also have been privileged to know and work with Jim Roush: Sally Cook, Dan Figgins, Slater Newman, Peggy Lyle, Isabelle Buckley, Bonnie Kuhr, Wayne and Anita Bare, Ann Seng, Anne Markowitch, Leo and Judy Klohr, Bill and BetsyTowe, Joan Robertson, Bill Creech, Iris Kapil, Reed Altman, Charles Blanchard, Ruth Klemmer, Diana Palmer, Everette Noland, Clay Stalnaker, Joy Johnson, Alan Crist.