Search for Common Ground mourns the passing of William (Bill) Kirby. An accomplished diplomat who dedicated his life to the service of others, Bill served as Executive Director of Search for Common Ground’s Middle East program from 1994-1999.
In that role, he not only extended the legacy he had built over a career with the U.S. State Department, where he was recognized with the Superior Honor Award for contributions to Middle East peacemaking, he also personally mentored and inspired countless young professionals attracted to the cause of building peace.
Upon learning of Bill’s passing, Search for Common Ground Founder John Marks said “He was a lovely man who contributed wonderfully to our work”, and CEO Shamil Idriss said “Bill inspired me and so many others to pursue a career in peacebuilding. We remember him as a most generous, caring, humble and yet prodigious inspiration and mentor.”
William A. Kirby, Jr.
7/20/1938 – 10/8/2022
William A. Kirby, Jr. (Bill) was born in Bridgeton, NJ in 1938 to William A. Kirby and Elizabeth Hann Kirby and grew up with his sister Joan. He attended Lafayette College in PA, where he was active in campus activities. Upon graduation, he went to Iran where he taught English and coached basketball for two years at an engineering college. It was there that he fell in love with the Middle East and its complexities. He returned home to pursue a Master’s degree in Mid-East studies at Harvard University. It was there in Cambridge, MA that he met his wife, Priscilla Keith, and the two were married in 1964.
After several years as a military analyst, Bill joined the Foreign Service. He and his family lived in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Israel. Returning to the U.S., he served at the State Department in various capacities including Director of the Office of Arab-Israeli Affairs. Under President Carter, he was involved in the negotiations that led to the Camp David Peace Pact, and which contributed to his receiving a Superior Honor Award.
With his promotion to “DAS” (Deputy Assistant Secretary), he traveled with Secretary of State George Shultz on numerous “shuttle diplomacy” missions. He later spent one year as Diplomat in Residence at Harvard, and a year as President of the American Foreign Service Association.
After retirement, Bill spent 5 years as Executive Director of the Mid-East program at Search for Common Ground, a non-profit conflict resolution agency head-quartered in D.C. and working in regions across the globe.
After leaving “Search”, he served on the local and national boards of Shepherd’s Center of America and was an active local volunteer. He continued to teach courses and give lectures on the Mid East. He was an active Lafayette alumnus.
Bill loved music and he played the piano for their annual Carol sing-alongs. He enjoyed world travel, daily crosswords, and watching sports.
A man of deep but private faith, Bill’s life was dedicated to community service, world peace, and to his family most of all.
Bill is survived by his wife Priscilla and his daughters, Linda Walter (Dennis), Heather Kirby (Heather Scott), and Pam Kirby (Samuel Little). He adored his grandchildren, Laura and Paul Walter.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Search for Common Ground
via their website www.sfcg.org or checks can be mailed to:
Search for Common Ground
PO Box 825874
Philadelphia, PA 19182-5874
