Howard Kent Walker

Howard Kent Walker, a Foreign Service Officer and U.S. Ambassador, died on February 19, 2025 in Bethesda, Maryland at the age of 89.

His 33 year diplomatic career included assignments to Nigeria, Jordan, Tanzania, and South Africa. He was Ambassador to Togo, Madagascar, and the Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros.

He also served as Vice President of the National Defense University in Washington, DC and Deputy Commandant of the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy.

After retiring in 1997, he taught International Relations at universities in Washington, DC, Rome, and South Africa. He was a popular international affairs lecturer aboard the Regent, Crystal, Cunard, and Holland America cruise lines. He was also a member of DACOR (Diplomat and Consular Officers Retired) and the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Before joining the Foreign Service, he received a BA and MA degree from The University of Michigan and Ph.D. from Boston University. He served two years military service as an Air Force Intelligence Officer.

From early childhood in Newport News and Hampton, Virginia, he was a great lover of nature, gardening, hiking, water sports, and tennis. He believed that education is a route to upward mobility. He contributed to The Washington Tennis and Education Foundation and to The Southern Poverty Law Center and wanted any memorial donations to go to those two charity organizations. He also attended Cedar Lane Unitarian Church in Kensington, Maryland.

Born in Newport News, Virginia, he was the son of Mr. W.R. Walker, Jr. and Mrs. Jean K. Walker, and grandson of Atty. and Mrs. William R. Walker, Sr. of Newport News. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Terry Taylor of Wilmington, DelawareA; their son Gregory, daughter Wendy; and granddaughters Lily and Mia.

Service scheduled for a later date.