Writer gets two-minute meeting with his hero

Lucas Remmerswaal believes his children's books incorporating the ideas of Warren Buffett could alter the ideas of a whole generation. Photo / Natalie Slade

Whangarei children's book writer Lucas Remmerswaal has finally succeeded in meeting billionaire businessman Warren Buffett - even if it was only an impromptu encounter in the back of a Nebraska steak house.

In March the Herald reported on Remmerswaal's mission to publish a series of children's books based on the ideas and principles of the Berkshire Hathaway chief, one of the world's richest men.

He said the books would have the power to change a whole generation's thinking.

Remmerswaal travelled to the United States this month to attend the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' meeting in the hope of meeting Buffett and getting his approval for the books. He said Buffett's acknowledgement would be key to attracting a publisher.

Towards the end of his visit, after numerous attempts to get an official meeting with Buffett, he said he happened upon the billionaire in the back of an Omaha steak house.

Buffett was dining with CNBC journalist Becky Quick, he said.

"I'd seen that they'd just brought the food out, and I really didn't want to interrupt the guy when he had his first mouthful."

Remmerswaal said that as soon as the plates were cleared away, he approached the table and said: "I'm Lucas Remmerswaal from Whangarei, New Zealand. I've spent the last nine months creating six books about your habits for children."

He said Buffett replied: "I hope it's not about my bad ones."

Buffett then promised to look at the books that night, Remmerswaal said.

"And that was the end ... I looked towards the chair, but there wasn't any hint of 'hey sit down' so I let it be ... it all happened in less than two minutes."

Remmerswaal also met Buffett's sister Doris in Omaha. He said she took a shine to his project and promised to talk to her brother during a trip they would make to New York's Sing Sing prison to visit inmates graduating from an education project funded by her charity organisation.

Remmerswaal said he would wait for the outcome of the Buffetts' trip to Sing Sing before approaching potential publishers independently.

He hopes to release the books on August 30 - Warren Buffett's 80th birthday.