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1940
2017
Dr. Frederick (Rick) E. Machmer, Jr., a Senior Foreign Service Officer with the rank of Minister Counselor, who served as USAID Mission Director? in seven overseas posts in his 35-year career, including Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Nepal, and Tbilisi, Georgia, died November 18 in his home in Alexandria, Virginia. He was 77. The cause of death was complications from pancreatic cancer, resulting in heart failure.
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In addition to his role as USAID Director, Dr. Machmer served as Director of the USAID/Washington Office of Middle East Affairs, an office which included Iraq in its portfolio.? At that time, he was also named acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Asia/Near East Bureau (a role that is equivalent to a deputy assistant secretary of state). His work as Senior Foreign Service Officer includes extensive roles in the Middle East – as Head of the 1994 U.S. Government Delegation to the regional Middle East Peace Conference in Cairo, Egypt; as USAID Disaster Resistance Team (DART) leader for Afghanistan (2001); and as Senior Development Advisor, Senior Deputy Civilian Representative, and Chief of the Office of Stabilization, Regional Command-East, Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan (2009-2010). He also led USAID disaster response efforts in Ethiopia and Georgia in 2000.??
In 2002, Dr. Machmer made a presentation on the subject of civilian-military cooperation in Afghanistan to the senior staff of the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii, which culminated in an article- "Reflections of Afghanistan," on the pivotal period before and after September 11, 2001. The piece was published in The Liaison, a publication of the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance in Honolulu.??
Dr. Machmer earned numerous awards during his career, including the 2001 State Department Group Meritorious Honor Award "For outstanding sustained effort to prevent a human catastrophe in Ethiopia," the 1992 Presidential Meritorious Honor Award from George H.W. Bush, a USAID Distinguished Honor Award (1988), and, in 1985, a USAID Superior Honor Award.??
Dr. Machmer was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania and subsequently spent his younger years in Akron, Ohio until he enrolled in Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio as an undergraduate student. After earning his degree at Mount Union, he attended Cornell University where he received a Doctorate in International Law. He served for three years in the Peace Corps in Nigeria and Liberia, and was a member of the American Foreign Service Association, the National Peace Corps Association, and the Belle Haven Homeowners' Neighborhood Association.??
Dr. Machmer spent the nearly 25 years in the Belle Haven neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia. He is survived by his beloved Golden Labrador Retriever, Jessie, who has a new home with a caring family in the neighborhood. Surviving relatives are cousins Joan Altmayer (Parma, Ohio), Mike McDonnell (Mashpee, MA), and Pat (McDonnell) Long (Dade City, Florida). Most notably, Dr. Machmer will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues throughout the world and his neighborhood family, especially Mary Panus and her husband, Dr. Thomas Wall.? Ms. Panus, cousin Joan Altmayer, Hospice nurses and Certified Nurse Assistants cared for him in his home over the last several months.? Ms. Altmayer, her niece Laura Marlow (Kent, Ohio), her daughter Lyz Bly (Cleveland Heights, Ohio), and her son Gary Bly (Strongsville, Ohio) honor his memory as a hero-humanitarian who sought and spread peace throughout the world.
Dr. Machmer requested that no funeral service be held; his family and friends are planning a celebratory gathering honoring him in March (2018). He was an animal lover and a proud graduate of Mount Union College and Cornell; gifts to Cornell University Law School, Mount Union College Scholarship Fund, and The Muffin Fund of Belle Haven Animal Medical Center may be made in his honor.
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Dr. Machmer's home was his comfortable refuge, with his muse, Petruk, a Javanese-created character of the ancient Indian text Mahabharata, displayed in front of the fireplace. Petruk was both a prankster and a furious warrior of the people. His Indonesian puppet wears this hand-written description around his neck: ??
"PETRUK
All seeing inside night Jaga?
Never sleeps?
Keeps tab[s] on everything?
Sometimes sees too much?
Remains discreetly silent"?
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Demaine Funeral Home - Alexandria.
December 28, 2017
Rest in Peace, Ric. Your smile, wry sense of humor, and calm in the face of crisis will always be fondly remembered. dirk
December 28, 2017
Kate Farnsworth
Rick was a true humanitarian. He was committed, tireless, calm, caring, smart, and hosted great parties. All of us who worked with him benefited from his wisdom. I knew him in Khartoum and beyond and I'm so sad to hear of his passing.
December 26, 2017
Joe Dorsey
I, too, worked with Rick in Khartoum during the late '80s. I recall that at xmas time he bought, wrapped, and hand delivered a nice gift to literally all 200+ employees in the USAID mission. Amazing guy. The world is a better place because of Rick.
December 25, 2017
Scot Covert
I worked with and for Rick in Khartoum in the late 1980s, and I also loved his passion for his cat then, and his poker games. Rick was a fantastic mentor and fearless leader, a great example for me and and my colleagues. Please accept my condolences and may he rest in peace.
December 20, 2017
Patricia Orlowitz
Ah, sad news that I am just learning of now. To his family and friends, especially those close to him these last few months, know that I appreciate the support, care and love you offered him. I shall miss him - worked with him in his 'retirement days' (which weren't really retirement) in Kosovo (when he was helping military prepare for Kosovo deployments) and finally, worked for him in person in Bagram, Afghanistan. His expertise, drive and smile will be missed. He was passionate about development, and remained engaged in the issues even when he retired (again). While we continued to exchange emails about politics or puns, Rick was always interested in the world's developing countries. USAID was lucky to have him on staff, I was fortunate to know him.
December 18, 2017
Anne McKee
Dr. Machmer will be missed...he always brightened my day and brought laughter and joy to my day. What talent and grace he shared with us!
December 1, 2017
We are sorry to learn of the passing of Rick, but grateful for his service to our nation with the Peace Corps in Nigeria and Liberia.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
November 29, 2017
We offer our condolences. May God's comforting love be with the family. John 3:16.
November 29, 2017
Mike Blank
Doc Rick will be sorely missed. A great friend. Condolences to the family and neighbors.
November 29, 2017
Robert Calloway
Rest in peace "Doc Rick".
November 29, 2017
sj
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your dear loved one .
November 26, 2017
To the family, I am sorry to hear the news about your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. Isaiah 61:1,2*
November 19, 2017
May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this very sad time
Psalms 29:11
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