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Peter Bridges Obituary
PETER SCOTT BRIDGES
Peter S. Bridges, retired Foreign Service officer, died August 13, 2022, at his Virginia home. He was 90.
Born in New Orleans, Bridges grew up in Chicago. He earned a BA from Dartmouth College, and an MA in Russian from Columbia University.
He was a diplomat in Panama, Germany, the USSR, Italy and Czechoslovakia and career ambassador to Somalia from 1984-1986.
Later he directed the Cox Foundation; served as international affairs manager for Shell Oil; and represented the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development in the Czech Republic.
He published three books, including the biographies of two Civil War-era diplomats, as well as poetry, articles and essays.
Surviving Bridges are his wife of 67 years, Mary Jane Lee Bridges; four children, David (Regan Melone), Elizabeth, Mary (Andrew Jensen), and Andrew (Maury Wray); and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on October 4, 2022 at the Falls Church Episcopal and in Crested Butte, Colorado in the summer of 2023.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Bridges
5 Entries
Mercedes M & Daniela Oriente
January 1, 2024
My dearest Mary Jane I was looking thru my tax papers and wanted like always wish the very best when I came to this sad news. Our hearts go out to you and all your family members. I was taking this opportunity to inform you with my greatest regret, my Beloved husband Nicholas J Oriente passed away peacefully on Dec 19th 2023 4.10a Daniela & I are simply devastated too. We both love our husbands and now, life doesn't have that Special taste anymore. Praying that God will guide them toward his Eternal Light into the Eternity and for us left behind, the Serenity, Love & Perseverance to face this New Cycle without their physical touch. He always respect you both very dearly. I felt the Need to let you know. Presently, I'm living in our small summer place in Vinchiaturo-Molise where his family comes from. My life is also very lonely without my Nicholas too. My dear friend, will pray for the two of us...my life has taken too the Worst Blow never imagined ever. Sincerely & Peace Profund God Bless you always Mercedes M & Daniela Oriente e mail [email protected]
Margaret Piatt
March 1, 2023
I am so sad to learn of Peter's passing. He is still a rock star as far as we are concerned at Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek in West Liberty, Ohio. We use his book on Donn Piatt frequently. My thoughts are with his family. Mary Jane, you might be pleased to learn that we are finally getting around to do a better job in identifying our trees. My best to your entire family. May you know how much we enjoyed talking with Peter.
Joseph Semon
December 11, 2022
My condolences. I met Ambassador Bridges in 1985, he sailed with us aboard the USNS Harkness on a survey mission along the coast, where he was able to get away from Mogadishu for a couple of weeks and enjoy our hospitality, electricity and running water which was as he said, unreliable in Somalia.
Rest in Peace Shipmate!
Margaret Mazzaferro
November 21, 2022
I was sorry to discover that Peter Bridges passed away in August, and I send my sincere condolences to the entire family.
Though I worked for the Peter and Mary Jane Bridges family only a few months during the spring and summer of 1964 in Moscow, my memories of that time have given me much joy over the years. It's my hope that you all find comfort in Peter's long, interesting, and well lived life. My thoughts are with you as your first Thanksgiving without Peter approaches. I send you all my love.
Mary Bridges Wiggenhorn
September 14, 2022
He was my big brother and was always literally by my side when I needed him, walking me down several aisles along the way and supporting me throughout my trials and tribulations. It didn't matter where in the world he was, he was always there for me and for our sister. The world has lost a kind, generous, and brilliant man who will never be replaced.
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