Craig Starbuck Atkins

Craig Starbuck Atkins, Jr.

June 3, 1932 - September 2, 2024

Craig Starbuck Atkins Jr., 92, of Potomac, MD, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home with his beloved wife Barbara by his side. Craig had faced many challenging years of health issues with great courage and strength, always maintaining his good humor and a positive attitude for the future, before succumbing to heart failure on September 2, 2024.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Atkins, and his children from his first marriage, daughter Angelique Harvey of Purcellville, VA, his son Craig S. Atkins of Newport Beach, CA., his daughter-in-law Dianne Atkins of Silver Spring, MD., grandchildren, Bryan, Wyatt and Parker, and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Constance Atkins of Potomac, MD and her children, Jacquelyn McShulskis of Kalamazoo, MI, Elaine McShulskis of Potomac, MD, and Beth McShulskis of Rancho Mirage, CA. He was preceded in death by his son Guy Atkins.

Craig was born and raised in Chevy Chase, MD. He spent his teenage years with his family in Athens, Greece, where his father Judge Craig S. Atkins, Sr. was appointed by President Eisenhower to be an advisor to the Economic Operation Administration Mission in that country. While his family stayed in Greece, Craig attended Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey, and during that time was recruited to fly as a classified courier for the State Department. Between his studies and flying courier duties, he was able to travel extensively throughout Europe.

Upon his return to the U.S., Craig worked for the State Department as a Page for the U.S. Senate, after which he attended George Washington University majoring in Foreign Affairs and Economics, specializing in South American Affairs. After graduation he joined the U.S. Marine Corps ROTC with the rank of Second Lieutenant. Craig served for two years during the Korean War and was selected to be Aide de Camp to Brigadier General Tschirgi, Deputy Commander, 1st Marine Division.

After completing his military service, Craig entered the private sector, working for Mobil Oil Company in Caracas, Venezuela, where he spent seven years, becoming fluent in Spanish. He was so successful in this position that he was then hired by Uniroyal International and sent to Geneva, Switzerland, where he spent three years and became proficient in French.

After returning to the U.S. he left the private sector to join the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he worked for 41 years until his retirement in 2005. Craig held various high-level positions at the Department of Commerce and was posted in numerous countries around the world as a Commercial Attaché to the U.S. Embassy.

While leading a Congressional Trade Mission to Poznan, Poland, he met Barbara Karlewicz, who he said he knew from first sight would one day be his wife. He was right. She became the love of his life, best friend and spouse of 43 years.

During his retirement he was able to pursue his vast and varied interests in subjects from history, to botany, to astronomy and everything in between. Craig was known for his passion for reading and other intellectual pursuits, but also greatly enjoyed gardening and woodworking, especially refinishing antiques. He was an excellent cook, collecting over 250 cookbooks from all around the world, and was renowned in the family as a master turkey carver.

Craig was a very kind and gentle man, always ready to help family, friends, and neighbors using his skills for fixing anything and everything. He had an infectious sense of humor, and his optimism, geniality and beautiful smile will be missed by all who knew him.