The Foreign Service Journal, May 2008

Max Newton Robinson , 64, a retired FSO, died on Jan. 18 at a hos- pice in Burlington, Wash., following a lengthy, debilitating illness. Mr. Robinson was born in 1943 in Scottsbluff, Neb., and grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Yakima, Wash. He earned his B.S. from Seattle Pacific University in 1965, and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1971. After a tour with the Peace Corps in Uganda and employ- ment as a social worker, he joined the Foreign Service in 1974. Over the course of 24 years, Mr. Robinson attained the Senior Foreign Service rank of minister counselor. A consular officer, he retired in January 1998 from London where he was con- sul general. His other overseas post- ings included Dakar, London, Mos- cow and Helsinki, where he served as deputy chief of mission. His tours of duty in Washington included postings in the Bureau of Human Resources, the Operations Center and the Bureau of European Affairs, as well as a tour as deputy executive secretary. In addition to several Superior Honor Awards, Mr. Robinson received the President’s Meritorious Service Award and an Award for Valor, both in 1993. Mr. Robinson enjoyed working with stained glass, framing art and home remodeling projects. He was known for his patience with children and his uncanny ability to calm fussy babies. He also had a reputation as a dog whisperer because of his knack with border collies, and he loved books, flea markets, long-distance bide rides, saltwater boating and chop- ping wood. Family and friends recall that he was a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest. Mr. Robinson is survived by his wife, Anne, of Mt. Vernon, Wash.; his son Daniel and daughter Natalie, who reside in Big Lake, Wash.; and by two children from his first marriage: a son, Joel, an FSO currently at Embassy London with his family, and a daugh- ter, Elisabeth (Lisa) of Newtonville, Mass.; three granddaughters; a broth- er, Bill Robinson; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be sent to The Senior Living Foundation of the American Foreign Service, 1716 M A Y 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 73 I N M E M O R Y AFSA Book Store Here’s how it works: 1. Go to the AFSA Web site, www.afsa.org . 2. Click on the Marketplace tab (second brown tab from the right). 3. Click on the “AFSA and Amazon Books” icon. 4. Click on “FS Authors” and then go directly to book listings by subject. 5. Shop away! Not only is this a thrifty, efficient way to do your holiday shopping, but AFSA receives a 5-percent commission from Amazon on every item (books, CDs, toys, etc.) ordered in this manner. Books selected from the AFSA Web site book- store generate an even higher commis- sion payment. And ordering through AFSA doesn’t cost you a cent. So book- mark the AFSA site, use the link and help your association — and yourself!