Lorne W. Craner passed away peacefully, July 2, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 16, 1959, to Robert and Audrey Craner. Robert was a F-100 fighter pilot and a POW in the "Hanoi Hilton" for five years. Lorne spent his early years living on airbases in the US and Europe. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and Reed College, and earned his MA from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Lorne dedicated his life to the pursuit of liberty and the fight for human rights around the world. He began his career advising Congressman Jim Kolbe and later Senator John McCain on foreign policy. In 1989 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, working for Secretary James Baker. He later moved to the National Security Council to work for Brent Scowcroft, as Director of Asian Affairs. He was the longest-serving President of the International Republican Institute, 1995-2001 and 2004-2014. In 2001 he was confirmed by the Senate as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Upon retirement he was awarded the State Department's Distinguished Service Award by Secretary Powell. Lorne served as President and CEO of American Councils for International Education from 2017-2019. He served on several boards including the Millennium Challenge Corp. and was a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and the Council on Foreign Relations. He was a champion for human rights and democracy but nothing was more important to him than his family. Lorne is survived by his wife, Anne; children, Isabelle, Alexander (Ricky) and Charles and sister, Charys. There will be a Mass of the Resurrection at the Basilica of St. Mary's, 309 S Royal Street, Alexandria, VA, Friday, July 10, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to The Lorne Craner Memorial Fund online at https://www.iri.org/lorne-craner-memorial-fund or by donating to:Lorne Craner Memorial Fundc/o International Republican Institute1225 I Street NW, 8th FloorWashington, DC 20005

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Lorne Craner

11 Entries

Phil Sawyer

February 24, 2025

Lornes father and my grandmother were brother and sister ,and sadly we only met a few times but always had a good time together , to his family my heartfelt condolences. Phil sawyer ( cohoes ny)

Mary DiQuinzio

August 19, 2020

Dear Isabelle, I am so sad to learn of your Dad's passing. His dedication to you, his country, and the world was evident even to me who only met him on a handful of occasions. You are a testament to his love and value-driven life. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mary DiQuinzio

Linda Cole

July 11, 2020

Lorne and I were next door neighbors. I never knew what an accomplished individual he was in his work since he wasn't one to boast of these things but I did notice right away his devotion to his wife and family. I will miss his kindness. Always willing to help if you were in need. May you rest in peace Lorne and thank you for your service to our country. You were a remarkable husband, father and human being and l was fortunate to call you my neighbor.

Elizabeth Clark

Planted Trees

Alex Arriaga

July 9, 2020

A generous spirit, great colleague, and steadfast friend, Lorne had a way to make you feel like a close and valued friend. Lorne was a man of great kindness, drive, who combined humility with a strong sense of responsibility and who consistently worked to make the world a better place for all of us. A man with such a distinguished career and so very many accomplishments, he could have been aloof and arrogant; but not Lorne. Lorne wasnt about the credit; he was about the impact and about enabling and encouraging others to be their best. Whenever there was an opportunity to make a difference, Lorne made the call and took the stand for liberty, equality, justice, democracy. His commitment to live life fully was infectious (like his bright smile). While working on Capitol Hill many, many years ago, a group of us (bipartisan, of course) went skydiving. Lorne was the first one to step off the plane committing fully, experiencing fully, living with gusto, fully. It was impossible not to notice his deep love and admiration for his wife and children; he frequently mentioned them with pride. Lorne: May you rest peacefully, and from afar may you continue to nudge us all to keep up the good fight and to be there for one another. With great admiration, Alex

Mary Ann Shelton

July 9, 2020

Enjoyed meeting Lorne and his wife Anne here in Northern Virginia during John McCain's 2000 presidential primaries. My ex-husband Joe McCain and I also came across the wonderful Craner family in their yard during a walk through Alexandria one day; nice to recall as a fellow military dependent, they also served.

Alexandra Hall hall

July 8, 2020

I was so sorry to hear the very sad news of Lornes passing. I had the privilege to work for him as a Special Advisor when he was Asst Secretary for DRL at State Department, and that experience meaningfully impacted the rest of my career. Lorne was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He was unfailingly kind and courteous, gentle in manner, and principled in behavior. I pass on my deepest sympathy to Anne and his family, but hope they can take some comfort from knowing how many people admired and valued Lorne, and what a difference he made to so many people around the world.

Shaun Donnelly

July 8, 2020

As a career State Department officer, I've seen political appointees come and go. Some are great, others less so. Loren was special. He had one of the most challenging jobs at State, A/S for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and he did it brilliantly. But it was Lorne the man who was so special - tough when needed but always kind, cooperative, and helpful. In recent years I've had the opportunity to work with Lorne in the Academy of Diplomacy and it was a joy. What a loss. What a man!

N. Persaud

July 8, 2020

My deepest sympathy to the family of Lorne Craner. May you be comforted in knowing that our Heavenly Father cares for you. He will give you strength and courage to cope with your grief.
Psalm 94:17-19

Matt Chanoff

July 8, 2020

I met Lorne when he was working for John McCain and traveled with him to Vietnam, where we talked about his father and he showed me where McCain had been shot down. Following that, we worked together on a variety of projects when I was at NED and he was running IRI. And years later I was so pleased to reconnect with Lorne when I joined the Internews board with him. He was a man of tremendous good sense and integrity, a singular passion for justice, a deep understanding of political processes, and a terrific dry sense of humor. May his memory be a blessing.

Judith Kassel

July 8, 2020

Sandy, Jay and I are very sorry for your loss. We have very fond memories of Lorne from the time when our children were at St. Patricks together. I have thought of Anne and the family several time recently. Lorne will be deeply missed. Yours in sorrow, Judith Kassel, Alexander and Jay Younger.

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results