Ambassador Quainton was a diplomat and educator with a zest for life. He was educated in Canada (St. Michael’s), the United States (Andover ’51, Princeton ’55), and the United Kingdom (Sherborne School and Oxford). He met and married fellow Marshall Scholar, Susan, in 1958.
During his career (1959-1996) Ambassador Quainton had seven presidential appointments under four presidents, both Republican and Democrat: U.S. Ambassador to the Central African Republic, Nicaragua, Kuwait, and Peru; Director of the Office for Combatting Terrorism; Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security; Director General of the Foreign Service. He taught at the School of International Service at American University (2003-2022), where he was named Distinguished Diplomat in Residence.
He served on many non-profit boards, most recently: Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, Princeton Alumni Corps, St. Michael’s University School (Canada), Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, Washington Theological Consortium, and La Roche University. He joined a Lions Club in 1964 in Pakistan and remained an active Lion throughout his life.
Tony is survived by his wife of 65 years, Susan Long Quainton; three children, Katherine, Eden, and Elizabeth, and their spouses; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A funeral mass was held on 16 August 2023 at Annunciation Catholic Church, 3810 Massachusetts Ave, Washington D.C.
Published by The Washington Post, 5-6 August 2023.
Anthony Cecil Eden Quainton (1934-2023)
Born 4 April 1934
Attended Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., USA.
Sherborne School (Harper House) September 1951-July 1952, Upper 6th form (Group II, H&E), School fencing team 1952 (fencing colours 1952), member of the Duffers and Wildman, PT Instructor. His article ‘American Democracy and English Snobbery’ was published in The Shirburnian, Summer 1952.
Princeton University, BA 1955.
In October 1955 he was awarded Marshall Scholarship to Christchurch College, Oxford, BLitt 1958.
US Foreign Service from 1959.
Ambassador, Central African Empire 1976-1978, Nicaragua 1983, Kuwait 1984-1987, Peru 1989-1992.
Deputy Inspector General, Dept of State 1987-1989.
Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security 1992-1995.
Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Personnel 1995-1997.
President & CEO National Policy Association 1999-2003.
Distinguished Diplomat in Residence, American University 2003-2022.
Died 31 July 2023.
