Douglas Leslie Tinsler, 79, of McLean, VA, peacefully passed away on June 20th, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.

Douglas was born on June 5th, 1944 (to which he claimed D-Day was named Doug-Day) to Forrest Arnold Tinsler and Anna Naomi Douglas in Long Beach, CA. After a childhood of moving around the United States due to his father’s Coast Guard posts, Douglas graduated from Kailua High School in Oahu, Hawaii in 1962. Douglas pursued a degree in Economics at Michigan State University graduating in 1966. Douglas continued his education completing his Masters degree in Political Science at Wayne State University. He moved to Washington, DC and taught at Cardozo High School as a PE teacher. Upon beginning his career in international development, he sought a second Masters degree in Economics from Stanford University.

After graduation, he worked in international development for over 40 years. Douglas was passionate about international development and loved what he did for a living. His career spanned the globe working in the Philippines, Indonesia, Egypt, Costa Rica, Peru, and Afghanistan for USAID, the World Bank, and Chemonics International.

In the 1970’s, Doug began his career in international development with USAID in the Philippines. His projects included the Bicol Integrated Area Development (1975). From 1979-1984 Doug served in Indonesia, focusing on projects such as the Citanduy River Basin Development project, which implemented an integrated system of levees, irrigation, and cropping to bolster production. The Indonesian Luwa Development Project focused on soybean production. From 1984-1986, he served as chief of USAID/Egypt’s Office of Local Administration and Development. There he led the design and implementation of an $800 million rural development and decentralization project and strengthened the capacity of local governments. As USAID’s Mission Director Costa Rica from 1988-1993, he led the design and implementation of projects to support the country’s sustained economic expansion. From 1993-1995, Doug worked for the World Bank as the Senior Public Sector Management Specialist .

Doug then joined Chemonics International, applying his expertise in agriculture, agribusiness and rural development. From 1995-2012 he served in a variety of executive positions, including as Senior Vice President for the Latin American and Caribbean Division, the Global Division, and the Asia and Afghanistan Division. He also served as chief of party for several of Chemonics flagship programs in Peru (PRA) and Egypt. He will always be remembered for his passion for development, for people and for his constant desire to find a solution to some of the most challenging issues facing the development industry. He was a mentor, a colleague and a friend and will be greatly missed.

In 1973, Douglas married Maria Belen Faustmann at Las Piñas, Manila, Philippines. He and his former spouse, Maria Belen had three children, Forrest, Elena, and Ana. In 2003 Douglas re-married Rosa Nella Mazzini in Fairfax, Virginia and they were happily married for 20 years until his passing.

Douglas was predeceased by his mother and father, Anna Naomi Douglas and Forrest Arnold Tinsler, and his sister Patricia Yvonne Haas. Douglas is survived by his wife Rosa Nella Mazzini-Tinsler, his children and their spouses, Forrest, Elena (Alejo) and Ana (James), his step children Gian-Piero (Tara), Stefano, and Antonella Bassi. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Oliver, Simone, Rocco, Quincy, Miles, Chloe and Alessandro. He will be remembered for his optimistic personality, his love of musicals and Civil War history, and finally his love and dedication to his family. He will forever be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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