The Passing of Ambassador Alfred Atherton, Jr.

It is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Ambassador Alfred "Roy" Atherton, Jr. at Sibley Memorial Hospital yesterday. Roy devoted his life to service to his country both in Washington and in numerous diplomatic assignments around the world. Throughout an exemplary Foreign Service career that spanned 38 years, including service as U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, and Director General of the Foreign Service, Roy earned a reputation for excellence, tireless devotion, loyalty, and a genuine care for his colleagues and diplomatic counterparts. After his retirement in 1985, Roy remained deeply involved in policy and personnel issues here at the Department, helping to guide the Department of State as it faces the challenges of a new millennium. On behalf of myself and all his colleagues at the Department, I want to extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Betty, his three children, Lynne, Reed, and Michael, and to all his family and friends. His presence will be deeply missed, but his contributions to the Department and the United States will never be forgotten.