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Lowell Kilday Obituary
KILDAY LOWELL C. KILDAY Former Ambassador Lowell Charles Kilday passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 6, 2011 surrounded by loving family at his home in Springfield Virginia. He was 80. Lowell was born in New Hope, Wisconsin on February 20, 1931 to William and Helga Kilday. His siblings were Howard, Douglas, Mavis, Carolyn and Kim. He grew up in Milwaukee Wisconsin and graduated from North Division High School in 1948. It was at North Division where he met his future wife and lifemate, Gerda Dreher. A good athlete but undistinguished student and general slacker during his teenage years that all changed when he joined the Army in 1950. As PFC, US Army, 1st Cavalry Division he honorably served a tour of duty in Korea during the Korean War as a foot soldier/rifleman. After the war Lowell attended the University of Wisconsin where he earned his BS in Political Science. Upon graduation he joined the United States Foreign Service where he embarked on a long and distinguished career which included tours in Cuba, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Viet Nam, Angola and Costa Rica. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan appointed Lowell as his Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. His career culminated with being awarded the rank of Career Minister, the highest regular senior rank for a Foreign Service Officer. Post retirement Lowell enjoyed playing golf and was an active member of the Springfield Golf & Country Club. He was also an avid sports fan, political observer and volunteer at ECHO in Springfield. Lowell is survived by his loving spouse of 56 years, Gerda. Despite all of his personal accomplishments he would often say that he is still best known as "Gerda's husband." Together they had six children, Bill, Dan (wife Nan), John (wife Karin), Analisa, Marc and Tom. One of the great joys of his life was being involved in the lives of his grandchildren, Leslie, Michael, Brian, Kevin, Simon, Catherine, Elliott and Colleen and great grandchildren Christiana, Kira and Henry. There will be a visitation on Wednesday, August 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032 where a Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 11 at 1 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to ECHO at www.echo-Inc.org and 7205 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield VA 22150. www.fmfh.comwww.fmfh.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Lowell Kilday
Kevin Dahlke
October 4, 2019
A wonderful man who was kind to my young children. He will be forever missed.
August 16, 2011
Altagracia de Jesus is really sorry and sad to knows mr Lowell passing, wants express mrs.Gerda and family. domincan Republic
Rob and Heather Bruce
August 11, 2011
Gerda,
Heather and I were sorry to hear of Lowell's passing. I still remember the respect with which my father held Lowell. You both were such great friends to mom and dad and I am fortunate to have known Lowell. Lowell truly was one of the good guys and he will be sorely missed. You and your family are in our thoughts and have our deepest sympathies.
Adelina Perez
August 10, 2011
Dear Gerda and Family: Today my parents Dr. Luis B. Perez Espinosa and Altagracia read about Mr. Kilday's passing in the Dominican Newspapers and called me (I live in Miami, Fl.)to inform me about this... they were very saddened by this for they knew Mr. Lowell when he was an Ambassador in the Dominican Republic we have great pictures of him, Gerda and our family as he visited with us in Barahona... we have great memories...they told me about what a wonderful human being he was...
My family and I share your sorrow and send our condolences to all members of Mr. Kilday's family... with much respect and appreciation of great memories... The Perez-Espinosa Family from Barahona, Dominican Republic
August 10, 2011
Gerda and the Kilday Family,
We share your sorrow and sadness over the untimely passing of our good friend and colleague, Lowell Kilday. We shall miss him, his friendship, his wit, his intellect. I will always treasure my many discussions with him about family, sports, politics and world affairs. We will have the Kilday family in our daily thoughts and prayers. He was a gifted diplomat and a great ambassador for America. May God bless Lowell Kilday.
With deepest sympathy,
Jack & Carin Otero
Jeff, Jan, Lil & Don Kleine
August 10, 2011
Gerda,
Just saw John at Germanfest in Milwaukee and was reminded of when Lowell picked me up from the airport in DC and drove me around to the memorials; we had an especially wonderful conversation at the Korean memorial. What a wonderful man! Now I find out he was a slacker in his teenage years and I say "Gerda must have something to do with that" My family and I have been so blessed to know Lowell and family! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for your loss. The Kleine's from Wisconsin will toast to his memory!
August 10, 2011
Gerda....Words can not express how sorry we are to learn of Lowell's
passing. What a great, great man and a wonderful friend he was to
Sarah and me....You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Greg & Sarah Robertson
Aurorra Rodriguez
August 10, 2011
Gerda and Family, Today I learned of the unfortunate and untimely death of Mr Kilday through the dominican papers. The memories of such wonderful couple Gerda and Lowell are sealed in golden letters in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic where we were so privileged to shared with one of the most honorable and distinguished ambassador of all times. May God bless and comfort you and your family.
Yours in mutual grief,
Aurora Rodriguez Wagner
Journalist
[email protected]
August 10, 2011
Gerda, I am sorry for you loss. Lowell was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and person. With all my sympathy to you and your family. Gina Forcelledo
Laura Otero Price
August 10, 2011
To the entire Kilday family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Mr. Kilday with the warmest of memories and am praying for all of you. With the greatest of sympathy, Laura Otero Price
Brenda Turner
August 9, 2011
John, Karin and Family,
I am sorry for your loss. I will remember you and your family in my prayers.
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