Eugene K. Lawson

On December 28, 2024, Eugene Kistler Lawson, 85, an expert in U.S. foreign policy and the founding president of the U.S.-Russia Business Council, passed away in Washington, DC, of complications resulting from a fall.

An Oklahoma native who moved to Washington to pursue a career in public service, Gene never lost his folksy roots. He was charming, outgoing, and generous. Gene shared 39 years of enduring love and friendship in his marriage to Stephanie Green Lawson. They were inseparable, traveling the globe, sharing books, discussing history and politics, and fostering a close circle of family and friends. Stephanie preceded him in death in February 2024.

Gene was known for his skill at building and maintaining life-long friendships and his zeal for helping others reach their full potential. He generously supported DC Prep Public Charter Schools and the Washington English Center as well as other causes. Asked how he was doing, he would invariably answer: "I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in." He could often be found reading a book on Russian or Chinese foreign policy and expounding upon world affairs.

Gene was born in Tulsa, OK, the youngest of three children of Edward C. Lawson and Alice Mae Kistler Lawson Willard. Gene, his brother Edward C., Jr., and sister Tricia were proud descendants of Chief Charles Journeycake, the last principal chief of the Delaware Nation. Gene was never more at home than at the Lawson River Ranch in Claremore, OK, where he spent countless hours riding horses, roaming, canoeing, and wildlife watching with family and friends.

Passionate about public service and politics, Gene held top positions in the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. Under Reagan, he served as U.S. Ambassador to the International Labor Organization and as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Commerce Department. For the senior Bush, he was Vice Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, where he worked to expand trade links to Russia and newly independent European states. An honors graduate and enthusiastic alumnus of Princeton University, he also received MA and PhD degrees from Columbia University and served in the U.S. Navy.

During his 15 years as President of the U.S.-Russia Business Council, he dedicated himself to making the world more secure and prosperous. He was recognized for his outstanding efforts to build stronger political and commercial ties between the U.S. and Russia with the Nunn-Lugar medal in 2003 and the Order of Friendship in 2007.

Gene's first marriage, to Joanne Hutcheson Seale Wilson, ended in divorce. He is survived by son Chappell of Boston; daughters Emily of Chevy Chase, Sarah of Kensington, and Alice of Los Angeles; step-sister Elizabeth Willett of Charlotte, NC; and six grandchildren.

Burial will be private. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, March 8, at 3 p.m. at the Metropolitan Club, 1700 H Street NW. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Stephanie G. Lawson Scholarship Fund, Washington English Center, https://www.washingtonenglish.org/stephanie/