Brooke Carlton Holmes

Brooke C. Holmes, a career diplomat whose postings spanned continents and decades, died September 10 of complications related to Parkinson’s disease. He was 86. Loving husband to his wife, Eliana, of more than five decades; beloved dad to his two children, Alexa and Devin; and a devoted “Grandpa” to his four granddaughters, Elise, Adela, Kiara, and Millie.

Brooke earned a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College, a master’s from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and an M.F.A. from Harvard University’s Kennedy School. He joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1966 (after two years in the U.S. Army) and served in a wide array of international assignments, including Rome—where he met his wife, Eliana—Vietnam with USAID, the Bahamas, Athens, and as Consul General in Canada, Nigeria, and the Dominican Republic. He later served as Director of the State Department’s Office for Science and Technology and concluded his career as a senior inspector with the Office of Inspector General after retiring in 2001.

Known for his wit, warmth, and insatiable curiosity, Brooke embraced the cultures of the countries he served in and visited. Even in retirement, he remained an avid traveler, living in Latin America and the Middle East with Eliana and making frequent journeys to spend time with his beloved granddaughters in Africa and in the Pacific Northwest.

Brooke was a mentor to many in the diplomatic corps and held officer roles with the American Foreign Service Association and the Consular Officers Association, where he was respected for his collegiality and commitment to public service.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle Street NW, Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions be made to the Senior Living Foundation of the American Foreign Service (https://www.slfoundation.org/).