Charlie Bliss

Charlie Bliss (101) passed away in Springfield, VA on May 22, 2019 after a short illness.  Family and friends were nearby.  His Memorial Service was held May 26th, attended by numerous USAID Alumni and their spouses.  His family received many condolences from USAID friends, both American and FSNs from around the world.

Charlie was a centenarian who was associated with USAID, both inside and outside the agency, since its formation in 1961. He worked on USAID projects with major US engineering and consulting firms in the 60s and 70s in Nigeria, Colombia, and the Philippines, before joining USAID’s Office of Energy in the early 1980s. He also served in USAID/Pakistan before retiring from the Agency in 1991.

He continued to provide infrastructure and engineering consultancy services up until his death, being recognized by The Cooper Union College in New York as winner of its Gano Dunn Award for achievements in engineering.  Charlie’s profile was featured in the April 2018 UAA newsletter and posted on the UAA website. His life was also spotlighted in the past year by CBS Evening News in one of its specials on the oldest American ever to be awarded a U.S. patent at the age of 100.

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