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Posted by Guy Van der Werf
Dick Life presents this week's program: understanding Russian leaders
While living in and traveling about the USSR collecting intelligence, Richard Life interacted with a broad spectrum of Soviet citizens, ranging from senior Communist Party officials and military officers to shopkeepers and laborers. As Russia has a crucial role to play in the relationship that the United States has with respect to Ukraine, Syria, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, and other potential global hot spots, it behooves us to become familiar with Russian President Putin and other Russian leaders.
Dick Life, US Navy, with 12-year old Rick Life at the 1975 Moscow May Day Parade.
Richard "Dick" Life, Captain, US Navy (Ret), an intelligence collector and analyst, will speak at the Rotary Club of Estes Park on Thursday, March 2, at their regular noon meeting. Dick Life has lived and worked in the international arena continuously since 1962, and is uniquely qualified to address national security issues and regional hot spots.
His presentation addresses unprecedented political, economic, and social developments in Russia since 1992. In addition, he explores President Putin’s and former President Medvedev's alarming decisions in the context of the czarist and communist eras.
Life completed his studies at the US Naval Academy in 1962, earned an M.A. in Russian Area Studies from Georgetown University and then graduated from the US Army War College as a senior officer.
A diesel submariner, who became an intelligence officer, Life was trained by the Defense Intelligence Agency and the CIA. He was involved in some 50 countries, including three tours of duty in Vietnam where he conducted covert submarine operations, served with Marines, and spend time in Saigon as Chief of Navy Intelligence Collection.
In 1974-76 he was an Assistant Naval Attache in the US Embassy in Moscow, and in the late 1980's Life led Navy and Marine Corps intelligence operations from offices in Munich, Berlin and the Persian Gulf during the fall of the Berlin Wall, meltdown of the USSR, and Desert Shield/Storm.
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotary members in 35,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century. Rotary clubs, around the world, initiate projects that address critical issues such as conflict resolution, hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy. Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” best expresses Rotary’s ideals.
The Rotary Club of Estes Park meets Thursdays at the Rodeway Inn in Estes Park, located at 1701 North Lake Avenue on Highway 34 just west of Dry Gulch Road. Visitors interested in learning more about Rotary and its programs are welcome to attend. Buffet is served at 11:30 a.m., the Rotary business meeting opens at noon, and the program begins at 12:30 p.m.