In retirement, private citizen Mr. Coolidge wrote to the incoming President of New York Life Insurance Company, Thomas A. Buckner, reiterating that no special treatment be given to him as a member of the Board. He must be like anyone else, tasked to meet whatever need for service he was deemed fit to render. If Buckner judged someone else better qualified for an assignment or receipt of a favor, humble Cal made sure in this letter that the job ought to go to that man every time, never out of deference to him as a former President. He insists, “Of course, I should be delighted to do anything you want. You can always keep in mind that I am not in search of any kind of an honor and anytime you think someone on the Board would like something, I hope you will always give it to them in preference to me.” Such was not calculated ingratiation, such was simply Calvin’s way however high he rose in this world’s responsibilities. In his eyes, the higher one rose demanded heavier obligation to give more not rest on the greatness of the position, past or present.