Late Jimmy Carter remembered by those he worked with in the Bay Area

OAKLAND, Calif. - As the world celebrates the life of the late Jimmy Carter, who died at 100 on Sunday, he's also being remembered by those who knew him well here in the Bay Area. 

"Decent, smart, honest," are just some of the words Robert Caughlan of San Mateo used to describe Carter. The two first met in 1974 while working together on several environmental initiatives in California.  

"I’ll always consider it to be one of the highest honors in my life to have been part of his team," said Caughlan.

Caughlan went on to work in the Carter Administration as part of the Environmental Protection Agency.

"Carter added a lot. He added a huge amount to the parks, and the Alaska wilderness area, and he had a great environmental legacy. He was one of the best environmental presidents we’ve ever had."

In 1980, Caughlan also worked on Carter's project, The Global 2000 Report, which warned about the consequences that world population growth, pollution, and resource depletion would have on the environment, if left unchecked. The pair continued to stay close after Carter left office.      

"I always thought that he was the only president that was able to use the White House as a stepping stone to other things," said Caughlan.

Among the many causes Carter championed after his presidency, affordable housing was perhaps at the top of his list.

"Jimmy Carter was one of my personal heroes," said Janice Jensen, CEO and president of Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, who had the opportunity to meet the former president and his wife Rosalynn over the years through their work with the non-profit. 

"Very high standards. People wanted to build on his house. Everyone who volunteered wanted to be on the Carter house, and we always used to caution them, are you ready to show up and work till late? Because that’s what he’ll be doing," said Jensen.