HAROLD S. FLEMING

FLEMING--Harold S. Diplomat, author and humanitarian, Hal Fleming died on February 4 in Great Falls, Virginia. A loyal friend to many, and loving husband of Arlene, father of Laura, Douglass, Craig and Harold Gordon, and grandfather of Max, Hal was born on April 21, 1931 in New Haven, Connecticut, the son of Harold S. and Edith Wormley Fleming. He graduated from Mount Hermon School, from Brown University and earned an M.A. in English Literature from Columbia University. Hal pursued many interests and talents enthusiastically throughout his life. From West Indian heritage, he developed a passion for all things British: literature, history, culture and sport. He built models, including an extensive 1940s era circus, remodeled houses, excelled at cooking and gardening. A prolific writer, his published works include several short stories and poems and two novels: The Brides' Fair, an intriguing story set in Morocco; and Once Upon A Storm, a Civil Rights era mystery. Hal's distinguished career in diplomacy and international development began at the U.S. Peace Corps (1966 72) where he directed public affairs and recruiting and was country director in Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa. As Executive Director of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the mid-1970s, he accomplished major management reforms. At the U.S. Agency for International Development (1978 83) as Mission Director in Morocco he introduced family planning and women's programs and participated in establishing an institute for renewable energy. As counselor for development at the U.S. Mission to the U.N. (1983 86) he negotiated U.S. positions on economic development and environmental protection, then at UNICEF (1986 92) he oversaw new child survival initiatives and helped launch major humanitarian assistance programs. From 1994 - 97, at the U.S. Department of State, as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organizations, he was in charge of policy and management of U.S. support to 80 U.N. and other international agencies and the creation of Relief Web, an Internet-based information management system for disaster response. He received numerous awards and throughout his career was appreciated as a kind and generous mentor. A memorial gathering is scheduled for April 27th at 4pm, in DACOR Bacon House, Washington, D.C. Contributions honoring Hal may be made to the U.S. Committee for UNICEF.