I am a very fortunate person. From 1993 to 1997, I was the business manager for Cronkite, Ward & Company – Walter Cronkite’s television production company. It wasn’t my first job, but it was early enough in my career to help shape who I’ve become as a professional. Most important, it gave me the opportunity to spend time with the “most trusted man in America.”

After stepping down as the anchor at CBS Evening News in 1981, Mr. Cronkite continued to appear as a special correspondent for CBS, PBS, and CNN. He also appeared frequently as a special guest or host for numerous television shows, such as the Kennedy Center Honors. In 1993, he partnered with Jonathan Ward to start his production company – Cronkite, Ward & Company, which produced more than 40 award-winning documentary hours for PBS and the Discovery Channel.

Cronkite-Ward had offices in both New York and Washington, DC. I worked in the DC office located in Dupont Circle. Although Mr. Cronkite spent most of his time in New York, I would talk with him frequently by phone and see him on his regular trips to DC, and my occasional trips to New York.

The highlight for me each year was attending the company Christmas party that Mr. Cronkite would host at his brownstone in Manhattan. His home was full of the most marvelous memorabilia from his decades as a reporter, which took him to every corner of the planet to interview world leaders and witnesses to history. His eyes would literally sparkle as he would tell you about each photo or keepsake.

With Mr. Cronkite, he was everything that you saw on camera, and more. He had the curiosity of a 12-year old. He was a great listener and gave you every bit of his attention when speaking with you. He generously gave you his time. And he was in every sense a gentleman.

In the few days since his death, there has been much written and said about the impact that Walter Cronkite has had on America and the world. Television news veteran and fellow CBS colleague, Bob Schieffer, said during a Sunday interview that “with Walter, it was always about the news; it wasn’t about Walter Cronkite.”

That really says a lot about the man I had the honor of knowing. We all could learn from his example. Success and trust are earned, and derived from the focus and attention you give to the task at hand, not from how much you attempt to shine light back onto yourself.

I still see that sparkle, and I still hear his voice.