Roger Kirk ’52

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Roger died Jan. 18, 2023. 

His father was Adm. Alan G. Kirk, commander of Allied naval forces at the invasion of Normandy. Roger came to us from Groton. At Princeton, he majored in SPIA, graduating magna cum laude, ate at Cloister, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He joined the Washington Club and Whig-Clio, as well as the Pre-Law Society. He roomed with W.H. Bailey and others.

Roger served three years in the Air Force, then joined the foreign service with postings to Washington, Germany, Moscow, New Delhi, and Saigon. In 1972, he was assigned to the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency as deputy assistant director for international relations during the SALT Treaty negotiations. He was appointed ambassador to Somalia in 1973. His final post was as ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Romania.

After retiring, Roger was on the staffs and boards of institutions such as Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, the Atlantic Council, and the Washington International School. 

Roger is survived by his wife, Madeleine; and their children, Marian, Sarah, Juli, and Alan. We offer condolences at the loss of our distinguished classmate.

 

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