< Back to front page Text size – +

Harvard classmate recalls alleged spy as 'a little bit mysterious'

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 29, 2010 01:12 PM

By Martin Finucane and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

Donald Howard Heathfield, the Cambridge man who has been arrested as an alleged Russian spy, was remembered today as an engaging, intelligent man by one of his classmates at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

"He was friendly, intelligent, thoughtful, low-key, engaging and, sure, a little bit mysterious," said Craig Sandler, owner of State House News Service, who was in the 2000 class with Heathfield and said he had remained friendly with him.

"It never crossed my mind that he might be a spy. But it's not completely flabbergasting," Sandler said. "He seems like a guy who would make a pretty good spy. ... It's really sad if it's true."

Sandler said he had seen Heathfield at various reunion events, including the recent 10th reunion. He also said Heathfield had given him advice on where to stay during a trip to Paris.

"I always thought they were French," he said referring to Heathfield and his wife, Tracy Lee Ann Foley.

Heathfield's alleged mission was to learn about US policymaking, while Sandler runs a news service that focuses on politics and policy at the State House. But Sandler said he was never pumped by Heathfield for information.

"My focus is so state-level that I would not necessarily be the person to talk to," he said.

"It's a strange and difficult and disturbing way to lose a friend," he said.

Kennedy School spokeswoman Melodie Jackson said in an email, "I can confirm that Donald H. Heathfield graduated from the Kennedy School in 2000 with a Master in Public Administration." She had no further comment.

State Representative Martha M. Walz also got her master's in public administration from the Kennedy School in 2000. But she said today she does not remember Heathfield.

"It's a very big school and so you get to know your core group of friends well," she said. "There are many people you don't get to know well. I did not know Don well. He was not in my circle of friends."

Walz said she has no specific memory of Heathfield from the time they both were at Harvard, nor was she certain that he attended the 10th anniversary reunion held last year.

"I didn't know him well when we were at school," the Back Bay Democrat said. "I want to leave it at that."