I met Fred and Raymond Franz, although I really knew Raymond much better. Also, Dan Sydlic and Nathan Knorr. I had decided that I admired Fred Franz due to a story someone told me about him riding in an elevator and singing "Jingle Bells". Everyone was surprised because it was considered a Christmas song. Somehow he explained that there was not one reference in the song about Christmas. I thought: "Well, that's unbiased thinking and a bit out-of-the-box", hence my admiration. Later, I came to realize that he was protected and revered by Knorr for his biblical interpretations. I point to him as the main protagonist for starting the 1975/Armageddon speech that cause so much grief. He is the main reason Knorr wanted all Bethelites to remain single, something he did not prescribe for himself.
Raymond was a dear man. I could sense his dedication and even some cautiousness when dealing with some subjects. He endeavored to be knowledgeable. My impression was that in most instances, his wife Cynthia was reserved and relatively quiet compared to him. But I could also tell that she was no slouch and was very intelligent.
I thought that Dan Sydlic was a good guy. But, I watched him revel a little at the fact that he became much more significant after Knorr was not in charge anymore and the Governing Body, of which he became a member of, took over.
Knorr was a tyrant and an ass. He gave a few of us "new boys" a condescending look while riding in an elevator as we talked about the experience of the first night watch at the Squibb building. It's possible that we were overly enthusiastic, but I didn't think it deserved the scowling look. I thought he would understand our situation being new and ignorant. I don't know how many others noticed it or even if they were aware that he was in the elevator, but I sure as hell did. It turns out he had very specific ideas of how a bethelite should act.
On another occasion, he gave me a "killer" look (I think that but for the briefness of the occurrence he would have turned around a said something to me). I was rushing on a Saturday morning from the Towers Hotel (back before it was purchased and renovated) to take a call from a family member at the main building. In those days, the Bethel front desk would get a call and they would have to make another call to the "Towers" desk who would in turn ring the hall phone (we only had a few floors then) and someone would come knocking at your door. I ran out of the Towers Hotel and was still trying to put my coat on as I reached the front of the 107 building. As we passed each other, Knorr gave me a disapproving scowl, which I duly noted. I think that if he had turned around and said something to me, I would have unloaded on him, despite the consequences. I had worked the night before, was in bed when I got the call and was not in the mood for any crap.