And who was DeForest Kelley? A very private man.

Among the handful of people who came to know the actor and his wife Carolyn up close and personal was Kristine M. Smith, a fan-turned-friend of the Kelleys’ and DeForest’s personal assistant and caregiver during the last three months of his life. DeForest had been Kristine’s mentor and encourager for over 30 years, helping to launch her writing career in 1968 when she was just a teenager, and eventually welcoming her to Hollywood in 1988, where he helped her get a foot in the door as a secretary at motion picture studios, expecting nothing in return from her other than continued friendship with him and his wife. Kris has stepped forward to share her reflections about this special man.

In her book, “DeForest Kelley; A Harvest of Memories: My Life and Times With a Remarkable Gentleman Actor,” Kris takes us into the private world of someone who cared deeply about his fans, took his responsibility as “Dr. McCoy” very seriously, yet would not write his own autobiography, as the rest of the cast had done. A truly humble soul. Kelley trusted Kris to see that he was remembered as he really was, not as an icon. She has kept faith with that trust.

In a recent interview with StarTrek.com’s Billie Rae Walker, Kris shared the following reflections about De, his personal life and public career. This look into the soul of one of the most respected men in entertainment is heartfelt and very respectful of the person we have all come to know simply as “Bones.”

Check out the interview at StarTrek.com.