Douglas G. Atwood

In his 93 years, Doug made important contributions to countless people and communities around the world. He was, in fact, a person dedicated to helping others. He was not a man motivated by money or materialism. He wanted neither approval nor recognition from others. He simply led his life following his principles and acting in service of others. He was a modest, educated, caring and forthright man, always following his heart.

Born in New Britain, Connecticut, on September 15, 1919, to Mildred and John Atwood, he grew up in a modest home in Winsted with his brothers Warren and Dave. As a boy he delivered newspapers for the Winsted Evening Citizen for seven years, never missing a day. He attended William L. Gilbert High School from 1933-1937, where his father John was a math teacher and basketball coach (Doug was on the team).

After graduating from high school, he matriculated at Dartmouth College from 1937-1941, graduating from the prestigious Tuck School of Business with a degree in Business Administration. At Dartmouth he was President of Phi Kappa Si fraternity, sports editor of the school newspaper, and assistant manager of the baseball team.

In the summer of 1941, he joined the American Field Service to drive ambulances in World War II. He was shipped out in November 1941, a few weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor, which he heard about while heading to Africa. Doug drove an ambulance with the British Army in the North Africa campaign until 1945, where he was part of the Battle of El Alamein and the Battle of Mersa Matruh.

After the War, Doug held positions for many years on both coasts of the US. Among his roles were night clerk at the St Francis Hotel in San Francisco, Physical Activities Director at the Gilbert Home for Boys in Winsted, and manager of two country clubs in the Washington DC area, including Goose Creek in Leesburg, Virginia.

In 1962 Doug joined CARE, a global relief organization, where he worked for the next 28 years. In his first post for CARE, in Alexandria, Egypt, he met and married Francine Rock, to whom he was married for almost 50 years. They had three children over the next six years, Ken (born 1964), Eric (born 1966) and Monique (born 1968).

Doug worked for CARE in Egypt, Algeria, Malaysia, Honduras, Colombia, Afghanistan, India (two separate stints) and Bangladesh. He was CARE Country Director in Malaysia (1966-69), Honduras (1971-73), Colombia (1973-77), Afghanistan (1977-79), India (1969-1971, 1979-1987), and Bangladesh (1987-1990).

As Country Director, he worked with many local groups and organizations to respond to the needs of the community. He helped get essential food and supplies to countless people in times of crisis – including the disastrous Bangladeshi floods of 1988. His efforts helped prevent starvation and outbreaks of diseases among millions of people.

In 1986 Doug earned the Community Service Award in New Delhi, India, an honor bestowed annually by the American Embassy. In a speech honoring Doug, US Ambassador John Dean said, “Doug has stood as a constant and selfless supporter of the community. He sets an excellent example for the adults and the young people with whom he comes in contact by his conduct and the quality of his leadership. He is a steadfast example of the true meaning of community service.”

Among Doug’s passions were reading, writing, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, sports, talking with his children, and helping people wherever, whenever and however he could.

For the last 22 years of his life, he lived in Sarasota, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia. He is survived by his wife and three children. He will be missed by all who knew him.