Memorial Service for Ambassador Spain

The US Embassy in Colombo jointly with the Sri Lanka America Society will hold a memorial service for Ambassador Spain who served as US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives from 1985 to 1989 at St. Andrew's Scots Kirk, 73, Galle Road, Colombo 3 on January 11 at 5.00 p.m.

The US Embassy announced the death of Ambassador Spain on January 2, 2008 in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was 81. His funeral was held on January 5 in Washington, DC where he was interred in Rock Creek Cemetery.

A career diplomat with the US Foreign Service, Ambassador Spain headed the US Mission in Sri Lanka from November 1985 to June 1988. He retired with the rank of Career Minister and remained in Sri Lanka until returning to the United States in 2006, a release by the US Embassy said.

Prior to his assignment to Sri Lanka he also served as Ambassador to Turkey and to Tanzania, and was the US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations in 1979. His first posting was to Karachi, Pakistan in 1951 as a vice-consul.

Ambassador Spain lived a distinguished life of service to his country and dedication to his friends and family. He inspired those around him to seek the best for themselves and their country, meeting adversity with strength, rudeness with grace, and challenges with enthusiasm.

He played pivotal roles in building the United States' alliance with Turkey, bringing about a peaceful transition to majority rule in Zimbabwe, and strengthening the United States' relations with Sri Lanka and other countries in the region.

The author of numerous books, including in Those Days, American Diplomacy in Turkey, The Way of the Pathans and Pathans of the Latter Day, Spain also contributed articles on foreign affairs to a variety of publications. He received a Masters degree from the University of Chicago and a PhD from Colombo University.

Ambassador Spain is survived by three sons and five grandchildren.