Frank Edward Dines

DINES, FRANK EDWARD
Kalamazoo, Michigan Passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2007. Frank was born November 16, 1929, the son of Frank L. and Elsie Ott Dines. Frank attended Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan ? diploma received June 1947. Entered Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo from September 1947 to June 1949. He left Kalamazoo in 1949 to continue his education at Stanford University in California where he received his Bachelor?s degree with great distinction as a Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford. He wrote and later edited the Mexican Section of ?Hispanic American Report,? published monthly by Stanford University and Hoover Library and Institute on War, Revolution and Peace. Frank obtained his Masters Degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Virginia from September 1951 to June 1952. He did his thesis research in Mexico under a Doherty Fellowship and the title of dissertation was: The Influence of the ?Popular? Sector on the Mexican Policy of Revolutionary Institutions. Frank?s military service was in the U.S. Navy. Period of service: March 1953 to December 1957. Grades held: Seaman Apprentice, Ensign, Lieutenant Junior Grade, and Lieutenant. 3153 ? 5/53 ? Officer Candidate School Newport, R.I. 7/53 ? 12/53 ? U.S. Naval Security Station Washington D.C. 1/54 ? 2/55 ? U.S. Naval Radio Facility Kami Seya, Japan 3/55 ? 12/55 -- U.S. Naval Intelligence School Language Division 1/56 ? 12/57 ? National Security Agency Ft. Geo. G. Meade, Md. 6/57 ? 10/57 ?On detached duty from NSA as officer in charge, To NSA field detachment in Cyprus. Following his naval years Frank joined The Asia Foundation in 1958. A nonprofit organization headquartered in San Francisco, with field offices throughout Asia, the Foundation?s mission is to assist Asian social and economic development and promote U.S. - Asia relations. Always a work in progress, achievements are mainly through the development and strengthening of government, non-governmental, and educational institutions at both the national and local levels of society. Emphases throughout Frank?s years of service have varied, depending on Asians? expression of felt needs, and on in-country capabilities and resources. The Foundation?s primary program areas have been in the fields of law, public administration, economies, media, women in development and international relations. Frank?s 37 year career with The Asia Foundation began with assignments in the home office in San Francisco. A significant accomplishment at this time was his introduction and filling of the role of Grantee Advisor, to supervise the placement and monitoring of the scores of Foundation-sponsored Asian grantees pursuing graduate studies in a number of colleges and universities throughout the United States. His first of many overseas assignments was in Korea as Assistant Country Representative, followed by similar assignments in Sri Lanka and them Vietnam. In 1967 he was appointed Country Representative to Vietnam, the first of his several postings as Country Representative ? Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The Country Representative is The Asia Foundation?s most senior staff member in a country, responsible for developing and directing the organization?s programs in that nation. The position involves representing the Foundation with the host government, various donor organization including private American businesses, local partner agencies, diplomatic missions, national and international institutions and the media, as well as administration and oversight of Foundation programs with local organizations. The Assistant Representative collaborates with the Representative in managing the Foundation?s work in a given country. Interspersed between his overseas assignments, occasionally Frank was re-assigned to home office roles. From 1973 ? 1975, he was Area Director, overseeing the Foundation?s programs in Northeast Asia. He then held a joint appointment from 1975 to 1977 as Regional Program Director and Coordinator of the Luce Scholars Program, the latter funded by Henry Luce Foundation and administered by The Asia Foundation with the help of its Country Representatives. This program is designed to place young Americans with advanced leadership potential in internship roles in Asian organizations and institutions in fields of their particular interest. It is to familiarize young Americans with Asian cultures to which they otherwise would never have been exposed. In 1986, Frank returned to San Francisco where he was appointed the Foundation?s Vice President for Administration. From 1988 ? 1989, he became Vice President of Programs. In the following five years 1990 to 1995, he again took up the post of Country Representative in Pakistan ? a country to which he as deeply attached. Frank?s periodic special assignments and his many overseas postings were a testament to his competence and commitment to the Foundation?s goals. While in Asia, he developed many enduring friendships, as well as an excellent eye for Asian Art. Frank speaks and understands many languages. He is the recipient of a number of metals and citations, awarded by government and private bodies in Vietnam and Korea. He holds memberships in many professional societies, including the Korea Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, the Korean Association of Voluntary Agencies, the Council of Voluntary Vietnam, and the Association of Asian Studies, and has served as advisor to the Southeast Asia Educational Foundation. He retired from the Foundation in 1995, after his second assignment as Representative in Pakistan. In Frank?s post-retirement, he kept in touch with many Asians he had come to know and love. Some came from Asia to visit him in San Francisco as well as from Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Texas to visit with him in Kalamazoo, Michigan during the final months of his life. These gestures were much appreciated and treasured by Frank. Frank will be missed by his family and many colleagues and friends in the U.S. and Asia. He is survived by his brother, James W. Dines, and his wife, Marlene, Otsego, Michigan, sister, Jacqueline and her husband Robert Baxter, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Sister Virginia Cooper, Portage, Michigan. A private funeral service will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. Celebration of life to be at a later date in his beloved ?City by the Sea? San Francisco. Contributions can be made in Frank?s memory to the Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo, 301 West Cedar Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007-5106. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langlands.com 343-1508