Edward John Hinker

Ed passed away peacefully on February 14th, 2025, with his beloved cats by his side. Known for his bright blue eyes, his sharp humor, and his lifelong devotion to learning, he lived a rich and generous life, filled with curiosity, culture, and connection. Ed is survived by his brother, Ron, his sister, Kay, nieces, Danielle, Liesl & Devon, great niece, Eloise, and great nephews, Kyle, Garrett & Oliver.

Born in Chamberlain, South Dakota, Ed was the son of a family who valued education and community. He graduated from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1963, with a B.A. in German and a Minnesota Secondary Teaching Certificate. He then taught German language & culture, as well as American and world history, in Minnesota junior and senior high schools. Even early in his career, Ed reflected deeply on the value of teaching, expressing gratitude to his own educators and respect for the profession as one of the most honorable callings.

In 1969, Ed was commissioned in the United States State Department, as a Foreign Service Officer. This began a remarkable career in public diplomacy. After assignments in West

Germany at Bonn, Frankfurt, West Berlin and Munich, where he became Director of the Amerika Haus, a major U.S. cultural and information center. There he organized lectures, exhibitions, and performances that brought together Americans and Germans with shared cultural interests. He arranged visits by and played host to individuals from around the world, including celebrities, musical groups, orchestras, Apollo Astronauts and renowned opera singer Jessye Norman. During the 1972 Munich Olympics, Ed invited legendary athlete Jesse Owens to speak about his 1936 Olympic experience—one of the many moments that reflected Ed’s gift for connection and his instinct for bridging history and humanity.

Upon returning to Washington, Ed served in the United States Information Agency, Office of Public Liaison. There, his talents as a writer, editor, and communicator flourished. He coordinated the Agency’s public programs, media outreach, and awards, edited the USIA Newswire, and organized public briefings and seminars designed to help Americans understand the role of diplomacy in foreign policy. His colleagues valued him for his intelligence, precision with language, and his unfailing professionalism. He retired as Chief of the Public Programs Branch in the Office of Public Liaison.

Ed’s love of travel began early. With his brother Ron, he spent a summer crisscrossing Europe in a Volkswagen, skiing in the Alps and savoring the culture that would help shape his life. Later, thanks to his sister Kay’s working for Pan American Airways, Ed traveled the globe, often with his father & brother. Then his State Department career and retirement adventures took him to every continent from Europe, to Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, to China, India, Southeast Asia, Oman, Africa and South America. One of his last trips was on a photo safari in Tanzania, from which he returned with a photo portfolio of the many animals he had encountered and, as always in his travels, many new friends.

One of his favorite travel memories was going to Australia to celebrate the Millennium on the Great Barrier Reef, with all his immediate family. This was followed by a performance at the Sydney Opera House, a climb up the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and even a bungee jump in New Zealand.

At home in Arlington, Virginia, Ed found joy in: the company of his many friends; classical music and Shakespeare, in both of which he was an expert; legitimate theatre and live concerts; cooking shows and preparing magnificent meals for himself and friends; making a perfectly mixed Bloody Mary and quiet times on his garden patio with his beloved cats. He volunteered extensively at the local animal shelter. His wit was quick, his vocabulary unmatched, and his warmth genuine. He had a gift for making others feel seen and understood.

To his family, Ed was not only an uncle and brother, but a cherished companion and mentor. They will always remember the sparkle in his bright blue eyes and his genuine and heartfelt conversations, with the punchy humor he embraced. Christmas was never complete without Uncle Eddie’s arrival, his laughter, and his love of storytelling. His nieces will be forever thankful to him for his annual reading of The Night Before Christmas and watching with him A Christmas Carol!” To them,he was more than an uncle and will forever be celebrated and toasted on special occasions.

Ed’s life embodied curiosity, compassion, and cultural understanding—the very qualities that define diplomacy at its best. He leaves behind a family who adored him, countless colleagues who respected him, and friends across the world who will remember his intelligence, humor, and big heart.

Ed requested that there be no Memorial. For anyone who wishes to leave a remembrance, we are sure he would appreciate a donation in his name to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, where Ed was a volunteer for many, many years and from which Ed adopted each of his many, beloved cats. The league’s Web site is: www.awla.org