The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2022

88 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2022 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Paraguay from 1994 to 1997, where he played a key role in averting a military coup in 1996. Throughout his career, Ambassador Service worked toward advancing U.S. diplomatic relations and policy, establish- ing and promoting democracy, and pro- moting political and economic reforms, counternarcotics cooperation and govern- ment efficiency. He believed in serving his country, while also caring deeply about global issues and consequences. Ambassador Service is remembered for his strong work ethic, his integrity and moral character, and his kindness and modesty. He maintained a lifelong enjoy- ment of travel, physical activity, wood working and researching economic, politi- cal and social issues. His Reflection, “Forestalling a Democ- racy Crisis in Paraguay, ” appeared in the November 2021 FSJ . He is survived by his wife, Karol; daughter Jennifer and her husband, Sandy; son John and his wife, Helena; brother Philip and his wife, Kiisa; five grandchildren: Miguel, Alisha, Alex, Samantha and Rayka; and a grandniece, Luisa. n Brian W. Wilson, 62, a Foreign Service officer, died at home in Fairfax, Va., on June 12 following a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Wilson was born in Tacoma, Wash., on Jan. 6, 1959. Growing up in the shadow of Mount Rainier and spending his sum- mers on the shores of Puget Sound, he developed a deep love of natural beauty and the outdoors. In 1980, he suffered life-threatening injuries when his car was hit by a drunk driver. After a year spent recovering and then backpacking through Europe and Asia, he returned to Western Washing- ton University to complete his English degree. On graduating in 1983, he took the Foreign Service exam and taught middle school English and drama while awaiting acceptance. In 1985, Mr. Wilson began his career in the State Department Foreign Service. He served in London, Belfast, Ciudad Juarez, Guatemala City and San Jose, as well as assignments in Washington, D.C. Most recently, he worked as the executive director for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and the Bureau of Inter- national Organization Affairs. As director of entry-level career devel- opment, Mr. Wilson was a devoted mentor for the new hires he shepherded, staying in touch through their early tours. He is remembered for his dedication to service and his unfailing kindness. Mr. Wilson loved every moment of his career with the State Department and continued to work with enjoyment and determination through 18 years of cancer treatment. He often remarked that he felt lucky to work with the best of the best, and his colleagues’ support eased his chal- lenges in many ways. While undergoing chemotherapy in 2003, his staff were mystified by sounds emanating from his office during lunch hours. When they realized he was inflat- ing an air mattress so he could rest, they scoured the halls of the Harry S Truman Building and spirited a full-sized sofa to his office. He was indebted to the medical and health unit staff at numerous posts, who made it possible for him to continue temporary duty assignments. Mr. Wilson lived each day fully and pursued his faith in God deeply. Through his hobby of highpointing, he explored lesser-known corners of every U.S. state and many countries, ascending to the highest elevations when possible. He sup- ported Washington, D.C., theaters with season memberships. He tried to drive a different route every time he could in order to see more of his neighborhood, city and world. Wherever the Foreign Service took Mr. Wilson and his family, he always sought community with his local church. He nur- tured friendships around hiking, cycling, kayaking, golfing and weekly breakfasts. He was a dedicated volunteer in his church, neighborhood, and as a teacher of English as a second language. The great love of Mr. Wilson’s life was his family. In his last term at university, he met Julia Panther while the two were working in the library reserve room. They went their separate ways when Mr. Wilson graduated, and Julia transferred. After eleven years of letter-writing, they were married in 1994 in Washington, D.C. Their children were born while the couple was posted in Ciudad Juarez. Mr. Wilson’s deep affection and admiration for his family was evident to all. He fought hard to live to see his son and daughter flourish into young adulthood. Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Julia; son Peter of Nashville, Tenn.; and daugh- ter Grace of Fairfax, Va. Contributions may be made in his name to the Foreign Service National Emergency Relief Fund or the Lamb Center, a homeless shelter in Fairfax, Va. n If you would like us to include an obituary in In Memory, please send text to journal@ afsa.org. Be sure to include the date, place and cause of death, as well as details of the individual’s Foreign Service career. Please place the name of the AFSA member to be memorialized in the subject line of your email.