Philip Winston Pillsbury Jr.

Philip Winston Jr., at age 85, died peacefully in his home in Washington, DC on March 3, 2021, surrounded by his three children and wife of 51 years. Born in Chicago on November 20, 1935, Phil was the elder son of Philip W. Pillsbury and Eleanor Bellows Pillsbury. His father was president and chairman of the Pillsbury Company which was founded by Mr. Pillsbury's great-grandfather, Charles Alfred Pillsbury. On his mother's side he was descended from Myles Standish, an English settler who came to America on the Mayflower. Phil was a diplomat, photographer, correspondent, and a loyal friend. He attended The Blake School, The Hotchkiss School, and Yale (Class of '57). Following graduate school in Paris, at Sciences Politiques, and George Washington University, Phil began a lifelong career with the United States Information Agency (USIA) as a Foreign Service Officer beginning in Spain, Italy, Mali and Madagascar. After he returned in 1966 to the US and left the Foreign Service, he used his connections and profound understanding of African life and culture as Project Director of the Minneapolis Urban League. During these four years through 1970, Phil fostered the deepest of relationships with key members of the civil rights movement and used his African photographs and art collection to connect with members of the Minneapolis urban society in ways no other could. Phil resumed his career in the Foreign Service in 1970 in Lubumbashi, Zaire, where he promoted American culture and arts. He then served in Tehran, Iran from 1972-1974, Turin, Italy from 1976-1980, and Buenos Aires, Argentina from 1980-1984. He returned to Washington, DC, where he attended the National War College as a civilian for a year, before running the USIA Youth Exchange until 1990. In 1995, Philip was appointed by President Clinton to the Joint Commission of the Environment for the Panama Canal. Philip served his country on five continents and he invariably left an indelible mark on those he met. He learned to understand and respect local customs and ways of life in a characteristically unassuming manner. A farewell letter he wrote as he left Mali in 1962 crystalizes his foreign service experience, and his words apply today in an even more poignant way. "I leave as a friend of Mali. More, I love your country and your people. My stay has given me my life's richest human experience. Most of all I have learned that love and sincerity between friends crosses all boundaries of politics, race, religion, and customs -- that we all have the same emotions in our souls and can meet in a spirit of brotherhood. However, until this is understood by all we can have no lasting peace in this world." Among his many board memberships, his impact was felt most deeply at The Hotchkiss School, The Octagon Society, The Foreign Student Service Council, The American Architectural Foundation, The Society of the Cincinnati, The Alliance Francaise of Washington, DC and Blair House, and so many others. Additionally, he was proud to have served as his class agent for both Hotchkiss and Yale, as well as the National War College. Phil was a member of The Woodhill Club of Wayzata, MN, the Metropolitan Club, the Chevy Chase Club, and the Yale Club of NYC. Philip leaves behind a long legacy of diplomacy and kindness having bettered the lives of all who knew him. Phil was preceded in death by his brother Henry Adams Pillsbury, his first wife Marion Winsor Mirick, and is survived by his wife Caroline (Nina) Hannaford Pillsbury, his three children Fendell, Caroline Oliver, Philip III, and nine grandchildren, Dustin, Andrew, Dalton, Elizabeth, Serena, Anna, Winston, Millicent and Thomas, and sons-in-law Michael and Drew, and daughter-in-law Cynthia. Burial services will be private due to COVID-19. Later this year, friends and family will gather to celebrate Phil's life, both in Minnesota and Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his memory to The Parkinson's Foundation.