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My most vivid memory of Bob Wientzen is from Sept. 11, 2001.

I got him on the phone early that day, one of the two people I could reach (the other was Lois Geller).

For a brief moment the association chief's mask came down, and so did the reporter's, and we connected as two human beings who were stunned by the events.

But Bob recovered quickly. He had member companies in the area, including a few in the towers, and he was already figuring out ways to help them.

That was leadership. And he showed the same quality a few weeks later when colleagues suggested he cancel the fall conference.

That made sense because people were afraid to fly.

But Bob decided not to give in to fear. He knew that if DMers ever needed to come together, that was the time.

His answer to those who would cancel? “No way!”

Of course, Bob had to cope with a lot more than 9/11. He steered the DMA through the dot-com boom, the dot-com collapse, and through passage of the Can Spam Act and many other regulatory measures.

Through it all he was a tireless advocate for the industry. He radiated enthusiasm for direct marketing.

And he always looked like he was having fun.

And so we congratulate Bob for completing his successful tour of duty as DMA president. He set a high standard. And we expect that he will remain an important member of the industry.