FRANCIS SARGENT CHEEVER Jr.

1943 - 2022

CHEEVER, Francis Sargent Jr., known as "Sarge," whose career included 29 years in the State Department, died peacefully at age 78 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston on July 23 after suffering a severe stroke. He was beloved for his intelligence and wit, knowledge of geography, history and literature, and devotion to family and friends. Sarge was born in 1943 to Dr. Francis Sargent Cheever and Julia Martin Cheever. He grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Groton School and Harvard College. Sarge served in the Peace Corps in Tunisia and taught English at the University of Algiers. In 1970, he married Corinne Dyel Cheever; they later divorced, but remained friends. After earning a master's degree in education at Harvard, he did graduate study in geography at the University of Chicago and worked as a consultant. From 1979 to 2008, Sarge served as a foreign service officer in the State Department. His overseas postings included several Eastern European countries and former Soviet republics, as well as Germany, Russia, and Turkey. From 2000-2005, while based in Moscow and then Tbilisi, Georgia, he worked in a State Department program to aid refugees and migrants in the Caucasus. He later said the high point of his diplomatic career was helping to assuage the hardships of Chechens dislocated by the fighting in their homeland. After retiring, Sarge lived in Wellesley, MA. He enjoyed spending time with his daughter, Leila Nordmann, friends, and relatives; reading in English, French and Russian; and going to the theater. At family gatherings, Sarge could always be counted on to come up with a witty toast. He was a natural geographer, starting in his childhood, and could talk about nearly any city or country that came up in conversation. Sarge is survived by his daughter, Leila Nordmann; sister Julie Cheever and spouse Fred Altshuler; brother George and spouse Meg Cheever; sister-in-law Margaret Cheever; and seven nieces and nephews. Another brother, Henry "Harry" J. S. Cheever, died in 2007. A memorial will be held at a later date.