Archive | Memoriam

David Edward Mutchler, 79, died peacefully on September 4, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Lexington KY, he graduated St. Louis University and earned his Ph.D from Washington University in St. Louis. He joined USAID in 1971 and spent the next 30 years as a foreign service officer in Nepal, Barbados, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Panama and Washington, DC. He served as the USAID Mission Director for Panama and was Director of the Cuba Program (1997-2007), the first USAID program in support of the Cuban people.

After retiring from USAID, David was a visiting professor at Catholic University. Predeceased by his wife Carolyn, parents Jack and Louise Mutchler, brother Dick and nephew Johnny. Survived by daughters: Mamie Wilson (Jeff), Meghan Deerin (JB) and Ana Maria Mutchler; granddaughters: Lilly, Lucy, Tess, Ellie, Grace, Lola and Carolyn; brother Patrick Mutchler (Ann); nephews John (Michele) and Michael Mutchler; and niece, Catherine Louise Mutchler. A private funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity in Georgetown where David was a parishioner. Donations should be directed to St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

John Henry Huber was born in 1929 in San Francisco to Swiss parents. When he was three years old, the family returned to Switzerland.  In 1949, he went back to the US to attend Rutgers University. He received his Masters’ Degree in 1955 and his PhD in Economics in 1957 from Wharton. USAID then offered him a job at USAID/Cambodia as economist in the Planning Office. His next assignment was to the Abidjan regional office for four West African countries. From there he transferred to the Central African Republic where he opened a new USAID post. In Bangui, John focused this fledgling AID mission on supporting friendly missions with US-made reliable trucks and introducing telecommunications. In 1964 the AID budget for Africa was drastically reduced, the USAID office in Bangui closed, and the functions were given to the American Embassy. John and family returned to Washington in the summer of 1964. Morale at the USAID home office was at a low ebb and John eventually moved to the Export/Import bank where he would secure financing for U.S. exports, a post he filled until his retirement.

In retirement, John took a short-term assignment with the World Bank. He also travelled the world for USIS lecturing and praising the benefits of privatization. He was a regular guest speaker at a Swiss Bankers Seminar and had belonged to an economic consulting firm called IDEA.   He succumbed to COVID-19 on Easter Monday, April 13, 2020. John leaves his wife of 60 plus years, three sons, Peter and Pat, Steve and Francis and Vilma and their two children, Jonimaya and Jeremy. He is also survived by his brother, Christopher and wife Erika, in Oregon and was predeceased by his sister, Maria.

Daniel Ian Stoll, age 53, passed away on July 6, 2020. The cause of death was Glioblastoma.  Dan was born on December 16, 1966 in Silver Spring, Maryland to Jane Stoll and the late Edward S. Stoll. Besides his mother, he is survived by his brother Adam (Anita), and his three young children, Ethan, Jason and Margaret Ann, plus his nieces and nephews and his cousins. He is also survived by Mary Nguyen who he married toward the end of his life, and by his first wife Theresa Stattel.

Dan graduated from the University of Texas, and was a proud longhorn. In Austin he became a music enthusiast, a passion that stayed with him for life. Dan worked for the federal government in multiple capacities in a career spanning nearly three decades. Most recently, he worked at USAID as an Ethicist, where he cherished his friendships with many colleagues.  Dan travelled extensively and loved to plan trips for he and his family. Without doubt, Dan’s greatest pleasure was the time he spent with his three children. He rarely missed any of their events or activities.  Those who knew Dan well appreciated his sense of humor, his enthusiasm for doing whatever he took on, and the joy that he brought to their lives. In the time he was with us, he lived a very full life.

Private graveside services are being held at Judean Gardens Cemetery in Olney Maryland in a manner that complies with COVID-19 restrictions.  Contributions may be made in Dan’s name to the American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Suite 550, Chicago, Illinois 60631-3225, or to Cure Glioblastoma, 578 Washington Blvd. #639, Marina Del Ray, CA 90292.

Michael Jordan 1935-2009

Our colleague Michael Richard Jordan died May 16, 2009. Michael was an ardent, effective advocate and activist for international development over a 45-year career that, with his wife Betty, began in 1963 with their Peace Corps service in Afghanistan. They then moved to Vietnam where he began work with USAID in 1966 as a Field Liaison Officer serving health needs of civilian war casualties. A pioneer within USAID in developing social marketing programs for family planning and primary health care, many in the Agency and contractor community knew Michael affectionately for his quick humor, intelligence, and innovative development programming. He was a mentor to scores of young USAID recruits both during his 30-year career as a Foreign Service Officer and later in new recruit training at the Foreign Service Institute. He served in India (twice), Bangladesh, Egypt, and Ecuador. In Bangladesh, he was responsible for USAID funding of the Cholera Laboratory in Dhaka, now known as the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, helping oversee seminal work in the development of oral rehydration therapy – an intervention that has saved millions of lives. In Egypt, he developed the first USAID population and family planning assistance program after the resumption of U.S. and Egyptian diplomatic relations. Michael was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on October 3, 1936. He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in pharmacy in 1958 and earned an M.A.in public health from the University of North Carolina in 1968. He retired from USAID in 1994 from Ecuador and became Chief of Party for a rural health and development project in Peru. After returning to their family home in McLean, Virginia, in 1999, Michael was a consultant on numerous international projects. He is survived by Betty, his beloved partner on all the overseas assignments, by his daughter Lisa and son-in-law Nick, and by his son Justin and daughter-in-law Kate and their children, Zachary and Piper. All are invited to Mike’s memorial service at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 10 a.m. Friday, May 29th, 1545 Chain Bridge Rd (at corner with Westmoreland) in McLean VA. After the service, we are invited to the Jordan home for refreshments – 6901 Lemon Rd., McClean VA, (about a mile from the church). We all loved Mike and miss him keenly.

Dear friends, family, and colleagues of John Coury, My name is Jessica Coury Papp, John Coury’s niece. I have logged in to John’s email to ensure that those he spoke with through email would receive this news. I regret to inform you all of John’s passing. On the evening of the 20th of December, while I was speaking to John on the phone, chatting away as he loved to do, he had a sudden cardiac arrest, which caused his quick passing. It has been a very difficult time for those that loved Johnny, but we are all comforted knowing that he went quickly, and we hope he is somewhere with his beloved Victor, eating lobster and smiling down on us all. Please pass this message on to others that Johnny knew. We hope that all the people that he loved will remember him, and carry on in his spirit of helping others and loving life. Below is his obituary. Sincerely, Jessica Papp John Peter Coury, 67, originally of Torrington, CT, died Sunday, December 20, 2009, at his home in Vienna, Virginia. A true philanthropist, John dedicated his life to helping those in need throughout the world. Born and raised in Torrington, the son of Nimar and Mary (Narsiff) Coury, he graduated from Torrington High School, and went on to attend Boston College, where he graduated with honors. He attended American International University, where he earned a Masters Degree in Political Science. John then began his career of service to others by joining the Peace Corps, volunteering throughout South America. His work also included positions for both the World Bank and the Pan American Health Organization. For the rest of his professional life, John remained with USAID. John traveled and worked extensively throughout South America, Africa, and the Caribbean, ensuring a better life for countless people in need. John was predeceased by his beloved son, Victor M. Coury, as well as his brothers Gerard Coury, David G. Coury, William S. Coury, and his mother and father Mary and Nimar Coury. John is survived by his sister Marcia Hasemann; brother Charles A. Coury; brother Nimar T. Coury Jr.; as well as several adoring cousins, nieces and nephews, and countless friends. John Coury dedicated his life to service and helping others. He lived each day as an adventure, and shared his infectious laughter with everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by many, yet his fun-loving spirit and his dedication to helping those in need will live on in all that he inspired. Calling Hours and Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Saint Maron’s Church, 613 Main Street in Torrington. Calling Hours will start at 8:30 a.m., followed by The Divine Liturgy of Resurrection celebrated at 10:00 a.m. The Burial will follow at The New Saint Francis Cemetery. Phalen Funeral has charge of arrangements. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Saint Maron’s Church Building Fund, 613 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790. Below are some memories of John Coury that were received by email at the USAID Alumni Association.

Jessica, I am in total shock. We had a small Peace Corps Chile get-together on Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Old Ebbitts Grill in DC. John was fine then, and the life of the party—in fact, he organized it. John has been a dear, trusted, faithful friend of mine since 1965. There are others in your email list (Ben, Dick, et al) who also served in Chile with John, and many others who worked with him at USAID as well (I did both). John will be dearly missed missed by many who are proud to know him as a good friend….george George R. Gardner, Ph.D.

Thanks so much for your message, Jessica. As heartbroken as we all are over this, it has brought me a small measure of comfort to imagine that he was able to spend Christmas with Victor. God blessed all of us with John. An honorary “niece”, Lindsay Huffman-Dilks

Dear Jess, Waiting for some news from John we are very shocked and sad today to learn that he passed away on December 20th, even if we know that today he is close to Victor again. I met Victor and John in Panama in1982 and since we have allways been friends. We will always remind all the good time we spent together, in Panama, in Jamaica or in Paris, were I am living with my husbands Jean-Francçois and our Children Anne-Charlotte, Pierre-Hadrien and Augustin. John and Victor will always be in our heart and we will pray for them tomorrow . Warn regards to all the family. Hilda Castel Jean-François Castel Paris, France.

Jessica, John and I go all the way back as does George Gardiner to our Chile Peace Corps days and then USAID. John played Santa Claus when we both were posted there. I have a beautiful slide picture here in my study of my daughter perched on his knee. We were to see John at the end of this month as we passed through DC to Florida to get away from the snowy cold Maine winter. John was a dear friend to me and to my wife Sandi and our daughter Amy. Thank you for the effort to let us know of his passing. We all were blessed to know him. May he and Victor now be together Ben Severn

Thanks for your message Jessica, I’m Angie Paola Suaez from Colombia, I’m really with my broken heart because Dr. John was a very special person with all of us, with each person he gave to us love and He was a wonderful person. He was so sad for my uncle Victor but now I know that maybe he is with him with his lovely son. I don’t know if I’m writing good because I don’t now very well english but thanks to him I can write this mail to say to you that we really sorry , In colombia we are in total shock. I’m so sad.And all the family hope that he’ll be in a special place with my beloved uncle. Sincerely, Angie Paola Suarez

Dear Jess: Thank you for your lovely e-mail. I worked with your Uncle Johnny for over 20 years at USAID and I enjoyed every minute I ever spent with him. He was a wonderful colleague and friend! John guided us all to work hard and to be the best as we served the men, women and children around the world!! His love of people, particularly children will live with us forever. John’s smile could light up the darkest night and the warmth that he emitted left everyone around him glowing. His sense of humor and ability to always find the fun in every situation kept everyone laughing and smiling! As John now takes his final resting place, he will do so with the peace of mind that every single soul who had the distinct honor to call him family and friend has been left a better person for having shared their life with him. And so it is with much love and adoration that I say goodbye to my good friend, John! Warm regards, Bonita

Dear Jess, Family and Friends of John – Some 30 years ago John and victor came to Haiti – a place Victor had wanted to visit since he admired the painters there. John and Victor were travelling around like Peace Corps Volunteers, taking local painted taxis, eating local food and just soaking up the vibrant, earthy colors and sounds and smells of Haiti. They stopped in to see us and we enjoyed their company; my son PJ was about a year old then and Victor was just a young man. Years later I called John when one of our USAID colleagues departed, and found out that we lived close to each other. Me in Oakton, John in Vienna. During my 2 years in Wash DC John was my best friend. We went to all you can eat Asian buffets (particularly Tsun nami out by the Wal-Mart), and did home repairs together. I helped him carry in some frames and hang a few paintings (Victor’s of course), and John was always one to give me a 2nd opinion on painting, bathroom upgrades, and so much more. He was a true friend. His sense of humor was what you would expect from someone who worked creatively and productively in population and reproductive health. We shared so many laughs together, and I’ll remember his devotion to family, the way he carried sorrow with grace and hope after losing Victor, and his bonhommie. He spoke often of his brother, cousins, and all of his family. He made being a Catholic something to be proud of. I miss him dearly and send my condolences to all of you. Chris McDermott (in Chiang Mai Thailand) and Quan

Dr. Joseph P. Carney, former director of the Office of Education, USAID’s Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade (EGAT), died peacefully on May 30, 2010 surrounded by family and friends. He leaves behind his loving wife of 34 years, Suga Carney, two children, Dr. Mark Carney and Hana Carney, Esq., their spouses, and a beloved grandchild. Dr. Carney will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, wit, wisdom, and his life-long commitment to education and to improving the lives of others. Dr. Carney retired from USAID in 2009 with more than 30 years of Government service, including nine years with the State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools. Dr. Carney coordinated U.S. policy on education for development and frequently represented the U.S. Government at high level meetings in support of international education programming. He was responsible for USAID’s foreign assistance programs supporting basic education, higher education, workforce development, and training. Dr. Carney previously directed the Office of Education, Science and Technology, and managed a $300 million education portfolio in the Latin America and Caribbean Bureau (LAC). He also served as Chief of the Education and Human Resources Divisions in USAID/Jamaica and USAID/Lesotho. Among his many accomplishments at USAID, Dr. Carney was most proud of the role that he played in helping revitalize the Foreign Service workforce in education. In addition, he was responsible for the launch of the Caribbean and Latin American Scholarship Program and the LAC Regional Higher Education Textbook Program; the initiation of the USA-Japan Common Agenda in Health and Human Resources which included a ground-breaking national HIV/AIDS prevention program; and institutional strengthening initiatives at many universities, including the University of East Timor and nine Sumatran universities. Dr. Carney earned his Ph.D. in African Studies from St. John’s University in New York, a Master’s degree in American History from Scranton University, as well as Master’s degrees in Religious Education and Theology from the Maryknoll Graduate School of Theology and the University of the State of New York. He began his career as a Maryknoll missionary priest in Tanzania and served as vice-rector of Maryknoll seminary in Ossining, NY. A memorial service will be held on June 12 at 11 AM at St. John Neumann’s Catholic Church at 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers, Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0302, or by calling 1-(800) 214-0390. Please indicate that the donation is being made in memory of Joe Carney. EGAT/ED is gathering remembrances of Dr. Carney to share his family at the following web address: http://communities.usaid.gov/education/forums/general-forum/general-discussion. Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to David Barth, EGAT/ED, (202) 712-0732. Please also feel free to comment on this blog, and we will pass along the condolences.

Aaron L. Benjamin, 78, a retired urban planner who became a development officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development, died June 13 of complications from pneumonia at a hospital in Ashland, Ore. He moved to Ashland from Arlington County in 1998. Mr. Benjamin joined USAID in 1967 and specialized in housing and redevelopment programs while serving in Egypt, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. He retired in 1989. Aaron Leon Benjamin was born in New York City and was a graduate of Brooklyn College. He received a master’s degree in city planning from New York University in 1959. Before joining USAID, he was an urban planner and housing specialist in New York, California and Switzerland. He was director of planning and development in Elizabeth, N.J., from 1965 to 1967. Mr. Benjamin was a member of several planning and foreign service organizations and collected art and antiquities from Latin America. He played jazz bass and Spanish guitar and enjoyed photography. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Judith Greifer Benjamin of Ashland; two children, Cynthia Benjamin of the District and Robert Benjamin of Ashland; and a brother. Donations in his honor can be sent to Habitat for Humanity. Comments posted here will be sent to his family. (originally written by Matt Strudel, source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/05/AR2010070502614.html)

From USAID: It is with great sorrow that we announce the loss of a dear colleague and friend Dr. Adel Gohar, who used to work for USAID/Egypt’s Education Office for nearly 28 years. He passed away on Monday, August 23rd after a long illness. Those who knew and worked closely with him understood his fine nature and good heart. He was admired for his wisdom, knowledge and passionate approach to development. Dr. Adel was an advocate for all FSNs, whether serving outside or inside the FSN committee, and always provided FSNs with genuine guidance and advice. He treated all people equally, with respect and decency regardless of their age or background. Dr. Adel was loved by everyone and was indeed the main mentor for the FSN community. He will be greatly missed by all but will be remembered for years and years to come. Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to Edel Perez-Campos, USAID/Egypt, 202-2522-7102.

The following was provided by Anna Quandt, Lenni’s loving spouse and UAA alumna: Lenni William Kangas, 78, died of cancer on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at his home in Iowa City, Iowa, surrounded by his wife and children. Lenni began his life in a small Finnish community in northern Minnesota, the only child of Katharyn and Waino William Kangas. He grew up in Superior, Wisconsin, learning English in kindergarten and excelling in school. He earned a degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin, built a raft and floated down the Mississippi Huck Finn style, and organized a nearly successful petition drive to recall Senator Joe McCarthy. When elected President of the class of 1955, the campus newspaper proclaimed,“Superior Man Wins.” As an active alumnus he organized and funded an award for excellence in teaching for outstanding UW professors. After graduation he served in the Navy for three years aboard the USS Yorktown in the Pacific, and later earned a Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of North Carolina. He became Assistant Dean of Men at the University of California, Berkeley, and witnessed hydrogen bombs on Bikini atolls while working for Lawrence Radiation Laboratory. In 1963 he joined the Ford Foundation and began a long and passionate career devoted to solving the world’s population problems. He joined the US Agency for International Development in 1969 as the first Deputy Director of its newly formed Office of Population. Through his work in Egypt, India, and the Philippines, Lenni was part of the pioneering group of “Poppers” who collaborated with governments of developing countries and non-governmental organizations to establish the first international family planning programs. His innovative approaches included month-long vasectomy camps in India and visits to remote villages in Luzon and Mindanao. During a second posting to Egypt, Lenni laughed off the local newspaper article branding him “The American in Your Bedrooms,” and oversaw a significant increase in the use of Egyptian family planning services. After retiring from the Senior Foreign Service in 1986, Lenni continued to work on population and HIV-AIDS prevention from the Agency’s Africa Bureau. He never fully retired, continuing his consulting activities until last year, always returning from Africa with wonderful stories and photographs. Lenni was generous, gregarious, and always optimistic. He was responsible for attracting many professionals to the field of population and supporting them in their careers. He was the author of numerous articles and papers on population and health. While still in California, Lenni married Georgia Lee Clare and in 1963 moved his young family, including daughters Tanya and Sara, to Egypt. Lenni used his overseas postings to pursue his many interests, including scuba diving and archaeological pursuits. He loved sailing on the Nile and once raced a 36′ yacht from Manila to Hong Kong. After Georgia Lee’s death in 1983, Lenni met Anna Spitzer Quandt. They were married in 1989 and bought a home in Washington, DC. Lenni and Anna adopted Peter John Kangas as an infant in 1991 in Romania. The family moved to Iowa in 2002. They owned and operated the “Revolt “ indoor skateboard park in Iowa City for two years. Lenni enjoyed telling stories, discussing politics, watching TV news, playing tennis, listening to NPR, fishing at Lake Vermillion, walking his dog Molly, drinking red wine, and watching the eagles soar over the Iowa River. Most of all, Lenni loved people. His work was his way of helping people and serving the greater good. It also allowed him to become a dashing world traveler while maintaining Midwestern values, to meet people from all walks of life, and to become friends with most of them. The little Finnish boy from northern Minnesota became a world citizen who lived by his own motto: “Bound forward, grab the world, and give it a little shake!” He is survived by his wife, Anna Quandt; his daughters Tanya Paloma Reams (Gary) and Sara Kangas (Peter Mark); his son Peter Kangas; cousins, John Kangas and Paula Wood; and many other loving relatives and friends. Contributions may be made to National Public Radio.