Sir, I have just seen a copy of a very nice appreciation in your publication (March 24th) on the recent death of Joe Judge. You certainly captured Joe's verve, myriad interests, and many talents.
I cannot attest to the accuracy of your anecdote about the end of his career in TV, but I can correct your assertion that he left the National Geographic after a disagreement over coverage of apartheid in South Africa. Our article on this subject, which Joe fervently believed in along with the rest of the staff, appeared in June 1977. Thirteen years later, in April 1990, when then editor Bill Garrett was let go, the new editor, Bill Graves, wished to install his own team and this is the reason Joe left the Geographic.
Thank you for letting me set the record straight. Yours, etc.,
Associate editor, National Geographic Magazine, 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688, US