The Foreign Service Journal, February 2011

80 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1 American affairs. In Zambia, Amb. Low led the Anglo-American Contact Group, mo- bilizing neighboring African countries in the cause of independence for Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). He was instrumental in attaining that goal. As director of the Foreign Service In- stitute, he worked closely with Secre- tary of State George Shultz, the Defense Department and Congress to secure Arlington Hall as the campus for FSI in what became the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Train- ing Center. After his retirement, Amb. Low served as director of the Johns Hop- kins University School of Advanced In- ternational Studies Center in Bologna, Italy, for five years. He was founder and president of the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, an organization devoted to improving the professional development and compe- tence of American diplomats. In 2000, Amb. Low created the Foreign Affairs Museum Council to promote a Museum of American Diplomacy at the Department of State. He raised $1.2 million for this cause, enlisting the support of senior senators and members of Congress, and per- suading all living former Secretaries of State to become honorary members of the FAMC Board of Directors. Space has been reserved in the State Depart- ment building and, under the leader- ship of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Amb. Low’s vision is nearing realization. Amb. Low was also a former gover- nor and trustee of DACOR and the DACOR Bacon House Foundation, from which he received the Foreign Service Cup in 2004. The citation in his honor reads: “For distinguished service and lead- ership as a statesman and scholar in strengthening programs for American diplomats, educating students of inter- national affairs, and bringing to fruition the museum of American diplomacy, which will enlighten future generations about the successful efforts of Ameri- can diplomats to safeguard our nation’s interests abroad and bolster interna- tional institutions that promote and preserve peace. His dedication to a life of public service is in the finest tradi- tion of the Foreign Service of the United States of America. It is with great pride and appreciation that DACOR awards the Foreign Service Cup to Ambassador Stephen Low.” An enthusiastic amateur ornitholo- gist, Amb. Low also took pleasure in his hobby of cabinetmaking. A music lover, he constructed a harpsichord, which was played at his memorial serv- ice, and also played the cello. He par- ticularly enjoyed chamber music. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen (Sue) of Bethesda, Md.; their three sons, Diego of Holliston, Mass., Rodman of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Jesse of Cairns, Australia; and sev- eral grandchildren. (See the Appreciation by Ken Brown on p. 39 of the January FSJ .) SamEugene Lesher , 81, a former Foreign Service officer, died on Oct. 18, 2010, at home in Portland, Ore., at- tended by his wife and children. Born on April 14, 1929, in Akron, I N M E M O R Y L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR Printed letters may be edited for space. E-mail to fsjedit@afsa.org or mail to FSJ, 2101 E Street NW, Washington DC 20037. E-C LASSIFIEDS www.afsa.org/classifieds M EMBERSHIP For changes of address and other questions about AFSA membership, e-mail member@afsa.org. A DVERTISING For details about placing either a display or classifed ad, e-mail fsjads@afsa.org, classifieds@afsa.org. C OPYRIGHTS & R EPRINTS To obtain permission to reproduce FSJ material, e-mail fsjedit@afsa.org. O NLINE www.afsa.org www.fsjournal.org Q UESTIONS ? Not sure whom to contact? FSJ FasTrax