Franz wanted to rule the world like everybody else, and he had personal selfish motivations. His supposed pure altruism was pure horse manure.
I believe RF was not typical of GB members of his era. I had friends at Bethel that said he would mingle with the workers and discuss their personal matters and concerns with them. Ray seemed genuine in his concern for the boys at bethel and how they were doing (according to my friend), while other elites treated him (my friend) harshly. I agree w/ Wasanelder "he was not in any way seeking status or prominence" and I can't impute a takeover strategy to him or even impure motives...don't think it's in his personality. He was a man of conviction caught between a rock and a hard place. He did the best he could do under the circumstances... must've aged him. I'm grateful to him for what he did.