Why was I interested in interviewing Karl? He is an American attorney, civic leader, and president of the Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation, an institution dedicated to preserving and advancing the diplomatic and humanitarian values associated with President Harry S. Truman. With a professional background spanning military law, commercial litigation, public utility regulation, and public service, Karl has spent decades operating at the intersection of law, civic responsibility, and democratic governance. His career includes service in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, appointments to the Missouri Public Service Commission and the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, as well as longstanding involvement in educational and civic initiatives. Deeply influenced by American history, international cooperation, and the legacy of postwar diplomacy, Karl represents a generation of civic-minded American leadership grounded in institutional memory, public ethics, and democratic values.
This commitment is rooted in a family connection to the Truman legacy. His father, Dr. Benedict K. Zobrist, served as Director of the Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, from 1970 to 1994. As one of the presidential libraries administered by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, the Truman Library played a central role in preserving the historical record of President Truman’s life and presidency. Following the establishment of the Truman Foundation in 1977, Dr. Zobrist joined its board of directors, helping to strengthen the institution’s educational and civic mission. Karl’s own involvement began in 1986, when he served as an usher at the Foundation’s annual luncheons, marking the beginning of a decades-long commitment to promoting Truman’s enduring legacy of public service, international cooperation, and democratic leadership.
This interview is particularly compelling because it explores the tension between moral leadership and political realism at a moment of profound global uncertainty. Through deeply reflective and historically informed answers, Karl addresses issues ranging from democratic backsliding, polarization, and disinformation to NATO, civic diplomacy, constitutional governance, and the erosion of trust in institutions. The conversation goes beyond a discussion of Harry Truman’s legacy and becomes a broader meditation on whether values such as tolerance, cooperation, and mutual respect can still survive in an increasingly fragmented world. At the same time, the interview reveals the personal experiences, historical influences, and philosophical concerns that shaped Karl’s worldview — offering a rare perspective on how civic institutions attempt to preserve democratic culture in an era increasingly defined by political extremism, technological disruption, and geopolitical instability.
Here’s our exchange:
Where are you originally from, and what aspects of your childhood there most shaped who you are today?
I was born in Evanston, Illinois, where my father was completing his advanced studies at Northwestern University with the support of my mother. We lived in the Chicago area and later in Washington, D.C. for several years while my father worked at the Newberry Library and the Library of Congress. In 1953, he received a Ph.D. in American diplomatic history.
We later moved to Moline, Illinois, on the Mississippi River, where both my mother and father had grown up. My paternal grandmother also came to live with us at that time.
What I remember most vividly is learning the history of the upper Mississippi Valley, including figures such as Black Hawk, Abraham Lincoln, John Deere, and Ulysses S. Grant, as well as the stories of immigrant communities, mainly Swedish and German. The knowledge I gained helped me appreciate the struggles of many different people and how, eventually — though not always fairly — an American civilization was created.
How would you describe your family environment growing up, and who were the most influential figures in your early life?
Our family placed a high value on education, music, and healthy living.
My grandmother — whom I called “Nonnie” to distinguish her from “Mommy” — was, during my early years, more influential than my parents, both of whom worked full-time. She helped teach me piano and accompanied me when I played clarinet in music contests.
Because she was fluent in German, she also helped me during my early college years when I studied the language. Nonnie was an excellent cook and prepared many of the family’s meals.
Were there particular family or cultural traditions that played a lasting role in shaping your values or worldview?
Our family vacations almost always included visits to important historical sites — battlefields, museums, colonial settlements such as Williamsburg in Virginia and Greenfield Village in Michigan, as well as national parks and areas of natural beauty, especially beaches stretching from the Great Lakes to New England and Florida.
Christmas celebrations were strongly influenced by German traditions. Presents were opened on Christmas Eve after oyster stew and fish dishes were served, while Christmas Day itself was reserved for relaxation and visiting relatives in the Quad Cities region.
What initially drew you to the field you chose to study, and was there a moment when you realized it was the right path for you?
The simple answer is that it was largely shaped by the 1969 U.S. Selective Service lottery draft, in which my birthday — November 2 — was the ninth date drawn.
At the time, I was a junior in college attending the Washington Semester Program at American University in Washington, D.C. My original plan had been to pursue graduate studies in East Asian affairs, learn Japanese, and eventually become a foreign service officer.
Given my low draft number, however, I faced three realistic options: allow the draft process to unfold and likely serve in Vietnam in a clerical capacity due to my poor eyesight; audition for an armed services band because of my proficiency on the clarinet; or attend law school.
Ultimately, I decided that law school made the most sense given my political science background. I also remember thinking that because I had always been fascinated by television courtroom dramas such as Perry Mason and The Defenders, becoming a trial lawyer might be an interesting path.
After being admitted to the University of Iowa College of Law and commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps — which replaced my draft status — I completed law school, earned my Juris Doctor degree, and passed the Iowa bar examination.
My active-duty years as a young JAG officer in New England, trying court-martial cases, and later in Washington, D.C. as an appellate defense lawyer before the Navy Court of Military Review and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals gave me confidence, practical experience, and reinforced my desire to represent clients and pursue positive outcomes for them.
After leaving the Navy in 1974, I joined a private law firm in Kansas City, Missouri, where I became a trial lawyer. Since then, my practice has focused primarily on commercial litigation and, more recently, public utility regulation and energy issues.
My legal career and involvement in political and community affairs eventually led to appointments by the Governor of Missouri to the Public Service Commission and later to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners. These experiences also led to my long-standing affiliation with the Truman Foundation, eventually becoming its president.
At what age did you begin working, and what did your first job teach you about responsibility or independence?
My parents discouraged me from working at a very early age. Instead, my free time was filled with music lessons, art classes, summer schools, and other educational programs.
As a journalism student in high school, my first paid work involved writing newspaper articles promoting Broadway musicals performed by the Quad-City Music Guild at an outdoor theatre in Prospect Park, Moline, Illinois.
I was around 16 years old and worked under the supervision of Hunt Sharp — his actual name — who had recently retired from the local newspaper, the Moline Daily Dispatch.
His gruff but valuable advice on how to write effectively greatly improved my skills. All of my articles were accepted and published with my own byline, which felt like a tremendous honour at the time.
The most valuable lesson I learned was how to work under the guidance of an experienced professional while building a relationship grounded in mutual respect.
I learned how to take responsibility for my own work, defend the ideas I wanted to communicate, and also accept constructive criticism in order to improve.
How would you describe your current professional role, and what aspects of it do you find most meaningful?
I am currently a practicing lawyer at a private law firm, although I understand that these questions are directed more specifically toward my role as president of the Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation.
The Foundation has only one full-time employee — our executive director — so as president and senior member of the board of directors, I feel a significant responsibility to ensure that President Truman’s legacy continues through the work we undertake.
We seek to honour important public figures whose work reflects Truman’s commitment to world peace and international understanding. We also recognise deserving American veterans for both their military and post-military contributions, award scholarships to students preparing for careers in public service or international relations, and host international students studying in the Kansas City region.
Organising a large community event every year that connects the successes and failures of the Truman Administration to contemporary events — while promoting communication, tolerance, and mutual respect — remains both challenging and deeply meaningful.
Has the idea of the “good neighbor” become harder to defend in an era defined by polarization, nationalism, and zero-sum politics?
No. In fact, when the dangers of polarization, nationalism, and destructive politics become more visible, the Foundation believes it becomes even easier to promote “good neighbor” ideals precisely because people witness the human and economic costs of division.
That does not mean everyone will agree with the non-political manner in which we present these “Truman values.” However, because Harry Truman has become a figure respected across many political and philosophical perspectives, his legacy of bringing people together — whether in Congress, at the United Nations, within NATO, or even around a poker table — generally resonates positively with audiences.
How do you ensure that the Truman legacy is not reduced to symbolism, but remains a living moral framework for leadership today?
We try to achieve this by celebrating individuals and groups whose work genuinely reflects the values Truman sought to advance.
This includes international students studying in the United States, scholarship recipients, and public figures whose achievements promote education, equality, mutual understanding, and respect.
We make every effort to select honorees who are not only accomplished leaders in their fields, but whose work continues to inspire civic responsibility and international cooperation.
Can civic diplomacy realistically counter the influence of hard power and disinformation in shaping international relationships?
Over time, I believe it can, although it requires continuous effort and long-term commitment.
The work of our Foundation is only one small voice, but because many of our honorees are highly respected national and international figures, I believe the message extends far beyond those attending our annual luncheon.
What responsibility do American civic institutions have when U.S. foreign policy appears inconsistent with the values they promote abroad?
There is no question that the responsibility of such institutions is enormous.
Even in recent months, we have seen how civic institutions — through legal action, public statements, and media engagement — can influence public opinion and shape perceptions regarding the actions of both the United States and other nations.
Does honoring individuals for moral leadership risk simplifying complex political realities, or can recognition itself be a form of accountability?
I do not believe there is a significant risk of oversimplifying political realities if the individuals we honour are broadly respected and communicate longstanding values such as honesty, integrity, and responsibility.
I would not describe the Good Neighbor Award itself as a form of accountability. However, we do hope that recognising people who embody Truman’s values encourages attendees — especially scholarship recipients and international students — to pursue careers and lives dedicated to building a more peaceful and cooperative world.
How do you decide where moral clarity ends and political pragmatism begins when selecting award recipients?
Our process takes into account a wide range of considerations, including both moral standing and political complexity.
We also seek honorees capable of communicating in ways that reinforce the values of education, public service, and mutual understanding.
Some recipients may be viewed by portions of the public as morally complicated figures — including political leaders such as President Clinton or military figures such as Admiral Rickover and General Schwarzkopf. Nevertheless, our board has generally concluded that their broader contributions to society justify their recognition.
Is the concept of American leadership still persuasive internationally, or has it lost credibility in parts of the world that once looked to the U.S. for guidance?
At the present moment, American leadership is not universally perceived as persuasive, particularly given the current administration’s positions regarding conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
However, individuals both inside and outside the United States — including figures such as Pope Leo XIV — have demonstrated that there are still Americans capable of offering moral guidance and constructive leadership.
Can transatlantic solidarity survive diverging political cultures and domestic pressures on both sides of the Atlantic?
NATO currently faces a difficult period.
It was one of the defining achievements of the Truman Administration and, until recently, arguably the most successful military and political alliance in modern history.
Whether NATO survives the pressures of the current political environment remains an open question. Personally, however, I remain hopeful that influential leaders will ultimately recognise the value of alliances and act accordingly to preserve the institution.
Recent political developments in countries such as Hungary provide at least some reason for cautious optimism.
How does the Foundation respond to critics who argue that values-based diplomacy is naïve in a world governed by power and interests?
If society abandons its values entirely — however imperfectly they may sometimes need to be applied — what remains?
The world will always be influenced by special interests and by the misuse of power. Yet there are also moments when societies grow exhausted by war, corruption, arrogance, materialism, and hypocrisy.
At those moments, humanity tends to pause, reflect, and rediscover the importance of behaving in a more civil and cooperative manner.
What role can historical memory play in preventing democratic backsliding, especially among younger generations?
Historical memory exists because individuals choose to educate themselves about human experience — whether through reading, conversation, or lived necessity.
Truman once reportedly remarked that “the only new thing in the world is the history you don’t know.”
While somewhat circular, the observation encourages people to read, engage with others, and think critically.
Younger generations will pursue that understanding in their own way as they search for meaning and happiness.
Ultimately, the ability to maintain optimism, love and respect others, and receive that same respect in return is what gives life meaning and value.
In a fragmented media environment, how can institutions like yours reach audiences beyond already-convinced elites?
Quite simply, by continuing to do the work consistently.
Bringing nationally and internationally respected individuals to speak within our Kansas City community helps educate and engage a wide range of audiences — from business and political leaders to American and international students studying in the region.
Many of our honorees themselves are surprised by the breadth of our efforts, which not only recognise their accomplishments but also support scholarships, honour international students, and salute deserving military veterans.
Is there a risk that celebrating “good neighbors” becomes performative rather than transformative, and how do you guard against that?
Yes, that risk certainly exists.
This is precisely why we seek honorees whose lives and careers have genuinely transformed people, institutions, or communities in meaningful ways.
Their speeches often combine their own experiences with reflections on Truman’s presidency and broader historical lessons that have influenced lives across the United States and around the world.
How do you measure the real-world impact of civic recognition on policy, institutions, or public behavior?
We have never possessed the resources necessary to conduct formal surveys or comprehensive impact analyses.
However, we believe that the calibre of honorees the Foundation has attracted over more than fifty years provides strong evidence that our efforts to promote education, collaboration, and civic responsibility have had a meaningful influence.
At a time when trust in institutions is eroding, what gives you confidence that moral leadership still matters?
The response of audiences to recent honorees such as Wynton Marsalis, Bob Woodward, and Justices Anthony Kennedy and Ketanji Brown Jackson demonstrates that moral leadership — although under strain today — still exists across many sectors of society.
Their messages continue to inspire people in profound and meaningful ways.
If President Truman were alive today, which global issue would most test his belief in principled, cooperative leadership?
He would likely be most alarmed by the current administration’s efforts to sow distrust and confusion with Canada and America’s European allies, particularly regarding NATO.
Truman would almost certainly argue that the lessons of history — and the benefits of alliances and international cooperation — are being dangerously ignored.
He would also be troubled by the evolution of Israel from the state he recognized in 1948 into what it has become today. I believe he would see profound differences between leaders such as David Ben-Gurion and Chaim Weizmann and the composition and direction of the current Israeli government.
Has there been a book, film, or work of art that significantly influenced the way you see the world or think about your work?
Many books have influenced me over the years, including passages from the Bible, but Tolstoy’s War and Peace remains the most enlightening work I have ever read.
I still reflect on the journeys of characters such as Pierre and Prince Andrei as they navigate tumultuous lives in search of peace and meaning.
Tolstoy’s depiction of historical events — particularly Napoleon’s occupation of Moscow and eventual retreat — creates a sense of time and place unlike anything else I have encountered in literature.
Looking at younger generations today, what gives you the greatest sense of hope, and what concerns you the most?
Every year, when I interact with Truman Foundation scholarship recipients and groups of international students who meet our honorees, I am inspired by their optimism, ambition, and generally positive outlook on life.
What concerns me most is the possibility that the pressures of today’s world — loneliness, excessive attachment to electronic devices, and fears surrounding artificial intelligence — may push younger generations toward selfishness and isolation.
Taken to an extreme, this could eventually produce a world dominated by aggressive individuals concerned only with power and wealth.
If you could spend a full day with any historical figure, who would you choose, and what questions would you want to ask them?
I would choose George Washington.
I would begin by asking about his childhood, his relationship with his mother Mary and his half-brother Lawrence, his education, and his early military career.
I would want to hear about his experiences connected to the British Navy and the lessons he learned during the French and Indian War.
I would also ask him to reflect on the New York campaign, his relationships with figures such as Benedict Arnold and Nathanael Greene, and his thoughts upon resigning his military commission at the end of the Revolutionary War.
Regarding his presidency, I would focus on his relationships with John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton.
I would ask him about his opposition to political parties and his views on the growing divide between Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans.
Did he regret not seeking a third term? Did that decision contribute indirectly to the turbulence, partisan conflict, and political polarization that eventually shaped American politics leading up to the Civil War?
Finally, I would ask him directly about slavery — from both a personal and economic perspective — and about the failure of the American founders to create a path capable of preventing the Civil War and the continuing struggles surrounding civil rights and voting rights in the United States today.
If you were asked to teach a class on a subject completely unrelated to your profession, what would it be, and what would you hope students take away from it?
I would like to teach a course comparing the outcomes of governments that pursued policies based on war versus those grounded in negotiation and compromise.
Over the long term, has a “good neighbor” approach proven more successful in securing peace, or does it simply postpone conflict?
I would examine questions such as whether the end of the Cold War — shaped by arms limitation treaties, trade agreements, and liberal immigration policies — merely delayed the tensions we face today.
I would also explore whether the situation with North Korea differs fundamentally from what the world faces with Iran, or whether it is simply perceived differently because of issues related to oil, trade, and operational nuclear weapons.
If you could ensure that one human value is never lost in society, which value would you choose, and why?
Respect — or at the very least tolerance — for differences in culture and outlook.
If individuals cannot maintain some degree of respect or tolerance for the views, values, or practices of others — excluding obvious extremes such as violence or barbarism — then meaningful dialogue becomes nearly impossible, let alone the pursuit of any genuine “love thy neighbor” philosophy.
Humanity is facing radical changes. To name just ten: geopolitical instability, climate change, economic inequalities, technological risks, public health challenges, political polarization, resource scarcity, humanitarian crises, misinformation, and disparities in global healthcare access. If, in an imaginative exercise, you had the power to solve one of these problems, which one would you choose first and why?
Addressing geopolitical instability and political polarization — which are deeply interconnected — would likely create the conditions necessary to address many of the other problems.
It is certainly possible that international cooperation around humanitarian crises, such as famine in East Africa or disease outbreaks in Central Africa, could also create opportunities for political progress.
However, I believe that resolving major wars — particularly conflicts such as Ukraine or those in the Middle East — could open the door to broader cooperation in other areas as well.
At the same time, restraint by major powers in areas such as Cuba or Taiwan could reduce tensions and create space for more constructive dialogue globally.
What do you believe human beings owe one another, both as individuals and as members of a global society?
Mutual respect and tolerance for differences.
Interviews often focus on successes. Could you share something from 2025 that did not unfold as you expected, and what that experience taught you?
I did not anticipate that the incoming U.S. administration would place such strong emphasis on dismantling key elements of the federal government while simultaneously pursuing retribution linked to the results of the 2000 election.
These developments are still unfolding, but they reinforced an important lesson: civil rights and principles of constitutional governance must always be actively defended, regardless of how stable or permanent they may appear.
Are there any personal or professional goals you feel comfortable sharing for 2026?
From both a personal perspective and through my work with the Truman Foundation, my goal remains to continue defending civil rights and promoting the principles of constitutional good governance.
When you imagine the final moments of your life, what kind of news would you most hope to hear, and why?
I would hope to hear that sincere international discussions aimed at limiting nuclear weapons are taking place, that political discourse at every level — international, national, and local — has become more civil and constructive, and that serious attention is being devoted to addressing the economic, environmental, and health challenges threatening our world.