Thomas Hale Fox died surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 in Washington D.C. Born in Boston in 1939 to Bertrand Fox and Mary Zeigler Fox, Tom spent most of his childhood in Massachusetts and graduated in 1961 from Williams College with a BA in History. As an adult, Tom became a global citizen. Over the course of his 45-year career, he worked with more than 75 developing countries, including all but a couple African countries, holding top positions in the Peace Corps, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and a host of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

After four years of teaching at the Taft School, Tom was recruited to become the deputy director for the Peace Corps in Togo in 1965. He and his newlywed wife, Elizabeth, spent the next five years in West Africa. Tom quickly became a prominent leader in the field of foreign assistance, particularly as a bridge builder between NGOs, private foundations, the U.S. Department of State, USAID, and participating countries. He was a highly regarded thought leader and administrator for several NGOs: VITA, the Council on Foundations, World Resources Institute, and The Elma Foundation. He also served twice with USAID in 1978-1982 and 1997-2001. In the second of these terms, President Clinton appointed Tom to coordinate USAID’s worldwide policy and resource allocation. Known for his expertise, strength of character, and integrity, Tom testified over a dozen times before the U.S Congress. Throughout his career, Tom enjoyed mentoring early career professionals in the field of international development and taught several graduate courses at George Washington University, Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies, and the School for International Training.

Tom was very generous with his time. He gave abundantly to family, friends, educational institutions, local community-based organizations, All Souls Unitarian Church, and several NGOs dedicated to foreign assistance. He often served as an effective fundraiser and board leader, while he also enjoyed humbler roles, such as driving seniors to medical appointments. Tom had many loves beyond his family, friends, career, and civic engagements: playing sports with friends; cheering on the Boston Red Sox; spending time with extended family in Maine; launching and leading a book club for four decades; reading biographies of early American leaders; acting with his local theater group; singing with family and the All Souls Church choir; following his grandsons’ passions; and supporting his wife’s work improving services for seniors across Washington D.C.

Tom’s large family deeply treasured him. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 58 years, Elizabeth Stewart Fox; their two children, Adair (Shelley) and Brian (Monika); two grandsons, Owen and Charlie; his brother, Kenneth, three half-siblings (Ann, Peter, and Joan); four step-siblings; nieces; nephews; godchildren; and many friends around the world. 

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