Harry Joseph Petrequin Jr.

Harry's Outta Here, at Least Physically!
Harry Joseph Petrequin, Junior was a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer and International Development Consultant. He was born in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, July 1, 1929, the son of Judge Harry Joseph Petrequin and Cresenthia Ellen Bechter. He held degrees from Westminster College, the American Graduate School of International Management, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Mr. Petrequin was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, serving as a Deck Officer on a Coast Guard Destroyer-Escort in the Korean theater and on a Coast Guard Cutter in Vietnam during those conflicts. Among his 15 medals and ribbons are a Citation from the Commander of the Army, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the United Nations Medal (Korea), and the Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation. He retired with the rank of Commander from the Ready Reserve and later became a member of the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association, the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and Veterans for Peace.
Later, he joined the United States Foreign Service in 1956, serving in Vietnam, Madagascar, Togo, Indonesia, Thailand, Senegal, Morocco, and Portugal throughout his career. His final assignment was as a faculty member at the National Defense University, Washington, D.C. During his career in the Foreign Service, he earned the Superior Honor Award of the Agency for International Development for his work in Southeast Asia, and the Superior Honor Award of the State Department for his work at the United Nations. He continued to work as an International Development Consultant in Asia and Africa after moving to Black Mountain in 1991.
Harry was active in various national and international organizations concerned with promoting world peace, protecting the global environment, and improving the quality of life for those less fortunate. The number of calendars mailed to him on an annual basis from these organizations as appreciation for his membership would defy belief.
Harry was blessed with a loving and supportive wife Katharine, three wonderful sons, John Andrew, Marc Christopher, Paul Nicholas, and two caring daughters in-law, Luani and Rachael. He is eternally grateful for many marvelous people of various cultures, religions, and ethnic groups he encountered for the fascination, fellowship, enjoyment, perspectives, and guidance they provide during his sojourn on this planet. In particular, he thanks his friends and acquaintances in Western North Carolina for having made his life here so delightful. He bids them all a fond "Adieu".
There will be a celebration of Harry's life at a date to be determined later, but his most solemn wish is for all those who can: Take time and enjoy the beauty of all nature has to offer with the time that we have.