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Peter de Vos Obituary
Peter attended the St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., on a musical scholarship. He then went on to attend Princeton and Johns Hopkins School of International Relations. Peter began his career in the Foreign Service of the United States in 1962, serving in Recife, Brazil, where he met Nancy Wesney and later married her in St. Albans Sanctuary at the Washington Cathedral in 1965.
He then went on to serve in Naples, Italy; Luanda, Angola; Brasilia, Brazil; and Athens, Greece, before becoming the ambassador to Guinea-Bissau in West Africa; Maputo, Mozambique; Liberia; Tanzania; and Costa Rica before retiring in 1997.
He then taught at the University of Chicago before moving to Merritt and teaching for a year at East Carolina University. Peter and his wife then retired to Grant-Valkaria in 2006.
Peter loved nature. He collected seashells and was a birdwatcher and especially enjoyed fishing.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Nancy (Wesney) de Vos; his nieces, Suzanne (Frank) Kricker and Bonnie Banks; sister, Lurline de Vos; sisters-in-law, Barbara Zwilling, Helen Cline and Priscilla (Ted) Hoyle; many nieces and nephews; and friends that will miss him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Suzanne de Vos, and his sister, Gretchen Banks. A visitation will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2008, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Fountainhead Memorial Funeral Home in Palm Bay, Fla., followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m.
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Memories and Condolences
for Peter de Vos
Michael Nelson
January 24, 2024
I remember Ambassador de Vos very well. Such a kind man. I was on his protection team when we went down to the Monrovia Port for the ECOMOG arrival. The odds were against us, but we made it down there and back. God bless you for all that you did, for your Embassy team.
Jose Maria Quiros-Salazar
October 1, 2008
I worked for Ambassador Peter Jon de Vos in Costa Rica as an economist and political advisor. Those years were very productive for me mostly due to his encouragement, his demanding of near perfection from all his staff, and his most valued friendship. I was privileged to accompany Pete on many a fishing expedition in Costa Rica, to soccer matches when his team Saprissa played and when the U.S. national soccer team played in San Jose, and to many pleasant penny ante poker matches. His social skills and his love of nature and sports became legendary after his retirement. Over the years since, we kept in contact, adding U.S. political and academic interests to our topics of conversation. I have always felt that he made it a point to keep in touch knowing how dear he was to me, and how our working careers were so much influenced by his undying enthusiasm for diplomacy, nature and friendship. After I retired, we kept planning to meet again and continue our search for the giant guapote fish in the highland lakes of Costa Rica. His many friends who stayed in Costa Rica and I will always miss Pete's company.
Jose Maria Quiros
U.S. State Dept., retired
Scott Bleggi
October 1, 2008
Dear Nancy,
I was saddened to hear of the Ambassador's passing. It was a priviledge serving with him in San Jose. He was a conscientious, caring leader who will be missed by many.
Richard Benedick
September 2, 2008
Dear Nancy, I was very saddened to learn of Peter's untimely passing, which brought back many warm memories of our times together in Athens -- not least our olympian tennis matches under the watchful eyes of rooftop police snipers on the watch for terrorists. Bon courage,
Richard Benedick
lowell kilday
July 10, 2008
Dear Nancy:
Gerda and I were stunned earlier this week to learn of Peter's untimely passing. You have our most profound sympathy.
We have always considered ourselves fortunate to be among the many people who you and Pater called friends. In our case, that friendship started in Recife in 1962 when Peter arrived as a brand new vice consul fresh out of graduate school. You and he started dating a few months after his arrival, and the rest is history.
In the forty-six years of our friendship, our infrequent reunions were always the same. Strong drink, good food, same old stories, hearty laughter..We will always remember Peter for his good humor, his love for life, and his enthusiasm.
Gerda and Lowell Kilday
joseph becelia
July 5, 2008
Dear Nancy: Judy and I were deeply saddened to hear of Pete's death. He was a valued colleague and friend, and we have fond memories of both of you from San Jose. Please accept our sincere condolences. Joe and Judy Becelia
James A. Van Fleet
July 2, 2008
Dear Nancy,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on Peter's death. He was a most valued colleague in developing the East Carolina University program in international studies, and his passing is a loss for all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.
Sandy & Mark Lore
July 1, 2008
Nancy,
Mark and I were very sorry to learn of Pete's untimely death. My heart aches for you. Angola seems a lifetime ago, but memories of serving there with you are still fresh. Had I known then that you were just out of Naples, I would have realized why such incredible meals came from your kitchen. You had a wonderful journey together, and the memories will help to sustain you in your grief. We both send our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts are with you.
Cindy Riley
June 25, 2008
Dearest Nancy,
Peter's and your love for life and learning affected the whole family, and we cherish you both. Memories of Peter, his great sense of humor, laughter and enthusiasm will remain always in our hearts. From my youngest days it was always such a joy to have you back from your travels and to listen to the wonderful anecdotes of the various countries where you lived and worked.
May each day forward be a blessing in remembrance of Uncle Peter.
Always,
Cindy
Princeton Lyman
June 23, 2008
I was deeply saddened to hear of Peter's death. He was a wonderful colleague and a delightful friend. I admired his work greatly, and valued his friendship. One of his special characteristics was his wonderful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.
Princeton N. Lyman
Council on Foreign Relations
Frank Wisner
June 20, 2008
Dear Nancy,
The terrible news of Peter's passing reached me upon my return to New York. I am shattered and heartsick for you. I remember how close you were and how devoted he was to you.
Peter and I had not seen each other in several years but I have always been deeply fond and admiring of him. It was a joy to have been associated with him atSt. Alban's and at Princeton. Our work together in the Foreign Service was important and special. I will never forget the time Peter and I spent in Mozambique, working to bring peace between it and the South Africans and opening the door to national reconcilation.
Peter was a briallant officer and the Department has known few who knew Lusophone Africa as well as he did. I will miss him deeply.
But the burden falls most heavily on your shoulders. You have my best wishes in what must be a painful time.
With warmest regards,
chet crocker
June 19, 2008
All who worked with Pete in the State Dept retain fondest memories of a warm, outgoing, enthusiastic and committed professional. I was deeply saddened to learn of his untimely passing. My condolences to Nancy.
Chet Crocker
Brad Mintener
June 16, 2008
Dear Nancy and Family,
Marilyn and I are heartbroken over hearing of Pete's death, as we just heard from him and his book plans and activities. We had such great conversations with him at our StA 50th, comparing notes of our lives in Africa, even though his and yours were more extensive and honored times. You are in our thoughts and prayers. As the new lad in the Summer of 1954 at StA, coming all the way from Minnesota, Pete was always so kind and thoughtful toward me. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please keep in touch and visit us some day at our cabin in Northern New York on the edge of the Adirondacks.
Warm Regards and Condolences,
Brad and Marilyn Mintener
77 Main Street
Canton, NY 13617
315/386-2585
[email protected]
John Bennett
June 16, 2008
Dear Nancy, I am so sorry to hear the news of Pete's untimely passing. He was a treasured classmate of mine in St. Albans class of 1956. After our 50th reunion, Didi and I were fortunate to have lunch with Pete here in Pinehurst just before you left for Florida. He was a wonderful guy and he will be sorely missed. He contributed a great deal to our world and for that we can all be proud. John Bennett
Tove Arnfast
June 16, 2008
Nancy, my heart goes out to you. Please accept my heartfelt condolences upon the death of your husband. We all miss you in Oriental, and if I can do anything to help please let me know. Love Tove
Ian Brownlee
June 15, 2008
I was Pete's last desk officer in the State Department and then briefly worked for him in Costa Rica in 1997. Both experiences were a delight. My very best to Nancy and I hope she is still rescuing horses.
Leslie Isaacs
June 15, 2008
I am Peter's great niece, Leslie. His wife, Nancy, is my Grandmother's sister.
I never had the fortune of spending much time with Peter, or getting to know him very well, but I always thought he was amazing! I admired him for all of his accomplishments and for his intelligence. When I was growing up, I was always so proud to say that I had an uncle who was a U.S. Ambassador. He will be sorely missed by all of his friends and family.
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