The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2015

80 JANUARY FEBRUARY 2015 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL the Lomé Agreement. During this time the American embassy was severely damaged in the con ict and was evacuated. To maintain U.S. operations in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Melrose and his sta ew to the embassy every day by helicopter from Guinea. During a second evacuation, he remained in Sierra Leone with a lone sta er. rough it all, he was able to secure humanitarian aid for the country and negotiate peace. He also helped establish the Special Court for Sierra Leone to try those most responsible for the devastating human rights violations that occurred. Amb. Melrose also held a wide range of domestic positions, including vice president of AFSA and executive director of the Bureaus of Political-Military, Near East and South Asian A airs. He was instrumental in uncovering the connection between the illicit trade in diamonds and con ict, and helped establish the certi cation program that evolved into the Kimberley Process. Testifying before Congress on con ict diamonds, he stated: “ e customer should be able to know that the diamond he or she purchased did not get to the retail counter by increasing the su ering of fellow human beings.” Renowned for his ability to solve problems, Amb. Melrose was sometimes referred to as “Mr. Fixit.” He led the Foreign Emergency Support Team that deployed to Nairobi following the August 1998 U.S. embassy bombings, where he helped oversee the reestablishment of embassy operations and the recovery e ort. He also played a role in reopening Embassy Beirut in 1983 and the evacu- ation of Karachi during the Persian Gulf War. In September 2001, he served as coor- dinator for the post-9/11 Task Force. When asked why he had so often been selected to function as a diplomatic repairman, he said he merely had the experience of “being in the wrong places at the wrong time.” Amb. Melrose retired in 2002 and ful lled a dream of returning to Ursinus to give back that spirit of service which inspired him, most recently serving as ambassador-in-residence and professor of international relations at the college. His mentorship was legendary, and he made time for every student, sta member or four-legged friend that passed him by. He was called again to serve on a range of projects, including as senior consultant to the coordinator for coun- terterrorism and as acting representative for management/reform to the United Nations, a position he was preparing to take up once more at the time of his untimely death. From 2006 to 2008, he served as a senior adviser to the U.S. delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. Most recently he served as vice chair of the Benghazi Accountability Review Board in 2012. Amb. Melrose utilized his skills and abilities in a variety of endeavors, helping found the Special Olympics, Donkey Cart Races and a Boy Scout troop in Karachi. He volunteered for International Medical Corp and was a board member of Restless Development. He served from 2005 to 2008 as presi- dent of the National Collegiate Conference Association and sponsor of the National Model U.N., doubling its size during his tenure and bringing his uniquely prag- matic viewpoint to a broader audience. Among the many awards he received were the Foreign Service Cup; honor- ary degrees from Hilla University (Iraq), Ursinus College and Francis Marion University; the Department of State’s Dis- tinguished Honor Award; the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award; the Presidential Distinguished Service Award; and the Award of Merit from the World Islamic Federation. rough it all, Amb. Melrose lived his life with a sense of humor and unassum- ing humility that will be missed by those who knew him. Mr. Melrose is survived by his son, Joseph Andrew; daughter-in-law, Binali; and granddaughter, Nina Melrose of Washington, D.C., along with countless former students, colleagues, friends and one WWII jeep. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph H. Melrose Fund You Are Our Eyes & Ears! Dear Readers: In order to produce a high-quality product, the FSJ depends on the revenue it earns from advertising. You can help with this. Please let us know the names of companies that have provided good service to you — a hotel, insurance company, auto dealership, or other concern. A referral from our readers is the best entrée! Ed Miltenberger Advertising & Circulation Manager Tel: (202) 944-5507 E-mail: miltenberger@afsa.org