The Foreign Service Journal, November 2021

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2021 99 From 1992 to 1996 inWashington, D.C., he was supervisory program economist and supervisory country development officer for the Horn of Africa’s East Africa desk, and then chief of the Strategic Analysis Division with the Africa bureau. His career included stints as acting USAIDmission director to Sri Lanka, Somalia (based in Nairobi) and India, and short-term assignments in more than 25 countries. Following his retirement in 2001 as chief economist for USAID’s Africa bureau, based out of Washington, D.C., he provided services as a consultant to USAID overseas missions and firms working with the agency, such as the Mitchell Group. In addition to his wife of 55 years, Mary, and their son, Mark (BethThormann), and daughter Monique (Marcus Courtney), Mr. Thormann is survived by daughter Gabrielle, from his first marriage, as well as his brother, Michael, and sister Joan. A celebration of life will be announced later. Donations in his memory can be made to the Diversity Scholarships fund at Brandeis University via giving.brandeis. edu/diversity. n Thomas (Tom) J. Wallis , 58, a retired Foreign Service officer, died May 1 in Miami, Fla. Mr. Wallis was born in Landstuhl, Germany, toThomas and Jeanne Wallis on July 10, 1962. Raised in Fairfax, Va., he attended Robinson Secondary School, Virginia Tech, and the National Defense Intelligence College where he received a degree in strategic intelligence. He joined the Foreign Service in 2001 as a consular officer, and served in Jamaica, Germany, Belize, Malawi and Peru over the course of his 20-year career. Mr. Wallis was also a U.S. Army veteran, obtaining the rank of staff sergeant. He served in Kuwait, Kosovo and Iraq, where he received the Bronze Star. He is survived by his wife, Monica, his parents and three brothers. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any dona- tions go to the Fisher House Foundation in his memory. n James AlanWeiner , 85, a retired Foreign Service officer, died suddenly on June 22 in Palm Beach, Fla., after a linger- ing illness. Born in Lynn, Mass., on January 16, 1936, Mr. Weiner grew up in Swampscott, which was his home until he left to attend Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. After graduating and serving in the military, he worked briefly at the Baltimore Social Security Administra- tion before he joined the Foreign Ser- vice, working at U.S. missions in Quito, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Bogotá. He also assisted in opening the U.S. Embassy to the German Democratic Republic (also known as East Germany) after diplomatic relations were estab- lished in 1974, serving as embassy counselor in Berlin under Ambassador John Sherman Cooper. Upon his return to Washington, his roles included director of the Office of Recruitment and Management, execu- tive director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research and, later, of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. He also served as a Foreign Service inspector and was a proud alumnus of the National War College. A member of the Senior Foreign Ser- vice, Mr. Weiner retired after four decades with the rank of Minister Counselor. Mr. Weiner had a unique ability to immerse himself in the culture and language of his many international assignments, and his interest in foreign and domestic affairs was of paramount importance. He brought to bear his talent for understanding complex situations, managing teams and conveying his deep sense of pride in his country to his over- seas postings, which he shared with his former wife, Aniko Gaal. Following his retirement, in 1996, he moved to Palm Beach. He became a member of the World Affairs Council, the Foreign Service Retiree Association and the Cato Institute. For 15 years, he served as one of the directors of the Palm Beach Civic Association, involved in town governance. Friends say that Mr. Weiner was inquisitive, active and adventurous. He loved to ski, and excelled at golf, ten- nis and bridge. He enjoyed good food and fine wine, had a wonderful sense of humor and danced a mean samba. He is remembered as an engaging storyteller. Mr. Weiner is survived by his older brother, Dr. Robert Macy Weiner, and his wife, Helen, of Boston, and nephews AndrewWeiner of Montclair, N.J., and Kristopher Weiner of New York City. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his name to the Palm Beach Civic Association or a charity of your choice. n Johnny Young , 81, a retired FSO and one of the few African Americans of his generation to achieve the rank of Career Ambassador, passed away on July 24 at his home in Kensington, Md., from complications of pancreatic cancer. The son of a laborer, Mr. Young was born in Savannah, Ga., in 1940. He lost his mother just before his first birth- day and was raised by one of his aunts in a poor Black neighborhood on the edge of the city. The family relocated to Wilmington, Del., in 1947, where he graduated from high school. Although his guidance counselor discouraged