Alan Renquist (also in the first chapter in Earth Alien)—High school teacher who remembers Perry; both Alan and his wife, Gayle, were active in sheltering and teaching Penna how to live on Earth; it was difficult for Alan after Perry’s disappearance, as he was tried for the murder of Perry but never convicted due to lack of evidence; even so, the Renquists had to arm themselves for self-defense as Perry’s family and much of the community believed that Alan was guilty; this made it very significant that Penna’s appearance proved that Perry was alive (after all, here was his daughter), and allowed reconciliation between them.
Gayle Renquist (also in the first chapter in Earth Alien)—Alan’s wife; also a high school teacher who remembers Perry.
Lyle Bennett—Air Force fighter pilot who had chased the Lazy L spaceship in Penna, the Alien Earthling; Lyle is a central character also in Familiar Aliens, and is integrally involved in protecting the Nenmaran visitors on Earth
Karen Bennett—Lyle’s wife and partner in some of his adventures involving the aliens
Ricky La Beaux—Penna’s human husband; Ricky is deaf, and Penna had learned sign language to communicate with him; she eventually possessed him in Penna, the Alien Earthling
Bob Carter—A general practice M.D. who is Penna’s physician. Bob is African American, and is married to Shirley Mendicott (also in the first chapter in Earth Alien). He is a key character to both Penna, the Alien Earthling and Familiar Aliens.
Shirley (Mendicott) Carter (also in the first chapter in Earth Alien)—An Ob/Gyn physician who also has Penna as a patient, and she delivers Penna’s first son, Matthew, toward the end of the story. Shirley also examines Lissel during her visit to Earth.
Susan Thompson—Perry’s little sister (in her 40s in Familiar Aliens), and Penna’s Aunt Susan; she never marries but is openly promiscuous with an endless string of live-in boyfriends. Susan is a central character in Familiar Aliens, both on Earth and Nenmar.
Marsha (Perry) Thompson—Perry’s and Susan’s mother, Penna’s grandmother, and William (Bill) Thompson’s wife. Marsha had been beside herself with rage during and following the time of Alan’s trial for murder of Perry. She is not someone to cross with, but mellows as Familiar Aliens unfolds, especially on Nenmar later in the story
William (Bill) Thompson—Perry’s father and Penna’s grandfather; it is Bill who is on the cover art of Familiar Aliens, holding his Nenmaran great granddaughter, Rennil. Bill (along with his daughter, Susan) is instrumental in getting Lyle promoted to full colonel and enabling the relationships with the Immcannians, Gattonians, and Nenmarans.
Larry Cunningham—has known, and previously dated, Penna; now has contract with the military base; joins Bill Thompson’s campaign for US Senate; works with Liz, but then Liz later is hurt and angered that Susan has taken her liberties with Larry; he is not a central character but this character’s role in the story is more than a means of tying things together and providing additional continuity with Penna, the Alien Earthling.
Helen—a geriatric nurse who cared for Peggy Rosser until she died; Helen is a minor but poignant character who adds sensitive perspective to the book
Frank Nash, Colonel, US Air Force (Retired)—Nash despises Lyle even more than he did in Penna, the Alien Earthling. As with a large number of people who have served in the military and other Government departments, Nash hopes to be able to change the things that have frustrated him by gaining a position in the political arena. He decides to roll the dice on elective politics when the US Senate seat suddenly becomes open. Nash knows “the system” very well, and is an intelligent and accomplished leader; like too many others, however, Nash’s ethics do not match his other skills (a dangerous and destructive combination)
