KENNETH BLEAKLEY Obituary

BLEAKLEY--Kenneth W. Kenneth W. Bleakley, 83, died peacefully at his home April 30 in Palmetto Bay, FL, surrounded by his family. His distinguished 29-year career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer included serving as President George H.W. Bush's Senior Deputy U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, Deputy Chief of Mission in San Salvador, Director of U.S. Operations in Central America and Director of the U.S. International Refugee Program. He was President of the American Foreign Service Association and Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Foreign Service Fraternity, After retiring from the Foreign Service he was a founder and past president of Fonemed LLC,, which provides nurse advice services throughout North America and the Caribbean. He graduated from Georgetown"s School of Foreign Service and held a Master's Degree from American University. An avid skier, poker player and boatsman, Ken lived a full life of gusto and determination. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Jane Gibson Bleakley, daughters (sons-in-law) Karen (Kevin) Hatch and Monica (Steve) Corbett, six grandchildren, brother Fred R. Bleakley and sister Veronica Steffen. He will be buried in the Diplomatic section of Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, DC.

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Published by New York Times on May 5, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for KENNETH BLEAKLEY

9 Entries

Bob Castro (Al'84)

May 17, 2024

Saddened at this news. Ken mentored me and others as undergrads at Georgetown. Now, from our FS posting overseas I send warm regards and fond memories to Jane & his family. Will visit him at Rock Creek Cemetery next time back in DC and raise a glass at DACOR Bacon House.

James Landberg

May 14, 2024

I am so sorry about the death of Ken Bleakley, one of my closest friends, professionally and personally. We began our Foreign Service careers together in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic in 1964. We were part of a group of mostly junior FSO´s sent to the DR (as we called it) to shore-up Embassy staffing in the wake of the assassination of the cruel Dictator Trujillo. Thousands of Dominicans swarmed the Embassy Consular Section, seeking visas to get into the US.

In April 1965 the situation exploded when a leftist military faction launched a coup attempt; street fighting broke out. Normal Society broke down; electricity went out, gasoline disappeared, stores closed. People were dying in the streets. We young FSO´s (and many spouses) turned to helping safeguard and evacuate US and other foreign citizens -mostly by helicopter to the US naval fleet off-shore.

As the fighting worsened, our wives, Jane and Erika were evacuated to safety; Marines from the fleet and elements of the US Army 82nd Airborne Division landed and restored order over the next few days. Jane and Erika both returned to Santo Domingo and were pressed into service running the Embassy Commissary!

You don´t get over shared experiences like Santo Domingo. In subsequent years we and Ken & Jane lived in the same part of Washington, crossed assignments in Bolivia. After Ken´s retirement and move to Florida, Ken and Jane served as excuse for convening the "SOBs"(Survivors Of Bolivia) on their visits to DC. It won´t be the same without Ken. Our deepest sympathies to Jane and the family at the loss of this wonderful guy. Jim Landberg, May 14, 2024.

Dianna Silvagni

May 10, 2024

We met Ken and Jane through our joint love of boating and cruising. So many wonderful and fun memories (and a few harrowing ones) of our trips to the Bahamas and around South Florida waters. Ken will be missed. Love to all the family. Dianna & Tony

Alan Marcus

May 8, 2024

I am very sorry to hear that Ken has passed. It was a pleasure getting to know Ken and Jane when representing them and send condolences not only from myself but also from my entire staff. Special thoughts go out to Monica and Karen in this time of grief. You can always count on me to be there if you need anything. May Ken rest in peace!
Alan Marcus

Marco Fernandez and family

May 8, 2024

Our thoughts are with the family.

Ambassador (Retired) Michael Senko

May 7, 2024

I worked for Ken in El Salvador as Junior Officer. He gave me many chances to develop my career and skills and was always supportive. He later crunched some numbers and helped me make some good choices about my retirement plans.

Eric Stoen

May 7, 2024

I was so sad to hear of Ken´s passing. He and Jane were like family during my 18 years at Fonemed. My condolences to his family.

Carol Winzig

May 5, 2024

I am very sad to hear this news. Ken was a very fine person and I consider it my privilege to have known him.

John Ondrick

May 5, 2024

My wonderful memories of Brother Ken go back to my Foreign Service Fraternity at Georgetown U. ... DPE/ Delta Phi Epsilon. We were blessed with our own House 2 blocks from the school itself. It was...well....mammoth. Purchased in the early 1920's, we owned the only Fraternity house at Georgetown. Pledging was a truly torturous journey of 3-5 months...at age 81 the mind heads rapidly to....mush. And the Line Captain was....god himself [lower case]. And when LC BLEAKELY 'entered' the pledge room, well, STUFF HAPPENED. Wish we weren't pledged to secrecy for life-eternal. Suffice it to say that every new Brother came to LOVE Ken...truly...all his days on planet earth. More? My lips are locked....look elsewhere friend

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