THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 93 Kenya (1980-1983), where he led a major U.S. initiative to promote family planning that contributed to a marked decline in fertility rates and addressed the resulting economic and public health issues. From 1983 to 1986, Amb. Harrop served as Inspector General of the State Department with the support of Secretary of State George Shultz. His tenure was cut short by legislation preventing career FSOs from serving as IG. As ambassador to Zaire (1987-1991), Amb. Harrop navigated Cold War geopolitics under dictator Joseph Désiré Mobutu. In his final posting, he served as U.S. ambassador to Israel from 1992 to 1993, advocating for economic liberalization and questioning the sustainability of U.S. aid. Met with political backlash, Amb. Harrop departed post early and retired. Amb. Harrop was a lifelong champion of the U.S. Foreign Service and a transformative figure in the development of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA). He served on the AFSA Governing Board multiple times, including as chair in the early 1970s during the pivotal period when AFSA was preparing to assume formal union responsibilities. Amb. Harrop played a central role in advocating for AFSA to become the exclusive representative for labor- management relations under the Foreign Service Act of 1980, helping to establish its legitimacy as a union while preserving its professional ethos. He worked to strengthen the organization’s voice within the State Department, improve transparency in personnel policies, and protect the integrity of the merit-based Foreign Service system. Amb. Harrop’s leadership helped solidify AFSA’s dual role as both a professional association and an effective labor union, leaving a legacy of advocacy and principled service. After retiring, Amb. Harrop became president and chair of the Diplomacy Center Foundation, which was instrumental, in partnership with the State Department, in establishing the National Museum of American Diplomacy in Washington, D.C. He also chaired an international health organization, Population Services International, and served on the boards of the Stimson Center, the Washington Humane Society, the American Academy of Diplomacy, the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, American Diplomacy Publishers, and the Senior Living Foundation of the American Foreign Service. In addition, he served as president of the Spring Valley−Wesley Heights Citizens Association in the District of Columbia. Amb. Harrop and his late wife, Ann Delevan Harrop, were a dedicated Foreign Service team. Together, they raised four sons across global postings. Amb. Harrop helped his wife publish her poetry and cared for her through years of blindness until her passing in 2022. Amb. Harrop was known for his humor, curiosity, and dedication. A lover of opera and classical music, a daily tennis player well into his 80s, and an enthusiastic early adopter of Apple tech, he also led family ski trips and volunteer initiatives. Amb. Harrop is survived by his four sons and their spouses: Mark (and spouse Lucy), Caldwell (and spouse Susan Spock), Scott, and George (and spouse Lori); grandchildren Jessica, William, Marguerite, Daniel, Maxwell, and Emily Moxon (and spouse Jack); and two greatgrandchildren, Josephine and Isobel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Diplomacy Center Foundation at www.diplomacycenterfoundation. org, in support of the National Museum of American Diplomacy. n Carl Seymour Cockburn, 73, a retired Senior Foreign Service officer, died on May 1, 2025. Mr. Cockburn was born on Dec. 26, 1951, in Colón, Panama. In 1974 he earned a BA in politics and economics from Wilberforce University and in 1979 an MPA from the University of Dayton. Mr. Cockburn worked in sales management for Sears and General Motors before joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 1984. Over the course of 30 years, he became a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, serving as a consul general in Havana and San Salvador and as senior consul in Lagos. Mr. Cockburn also served in Manila, Jeddah, Harare, Bogotá, Yangon (Rangoon), Stockholm, and Mexico City. In addition to his overseas posts, he served in the State Department’s Offices of Caribbean Affairs, Central American Affairs, and International Organization Affairs in Washington, D.C. In recognition of his distinguished service, Mr. Cockburn was awarded the Secretary’s Career Achievement Award, three Superior Service Awards, and several Meritorious Service Awards. He retired in 2014. Mr. Cockburn was a lifelong Methodist who found deep meaning in his faith and church community. His commitment to community, philanthropy, and care for others was evident in the many ways he gave himself throughout his life. He was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his daughter, former wife, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends. n Melvyn “Mel” Levitsky, 87, a retired Senior Foreign Service officer and former ambassador, died on May 17, 2025, at his home in Ann Arbor, Mich.
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