Paul N. Wenger Jr. ’51

Paul N. Wenger Jr. ’51 died in West Hartford, Connecticut, on April 28, 2018. His wife, Sylvia, one son, and two grandchildren survive him. Paul spent 25 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, representing the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) in more than 35 countries, principally in Africa and Asia. He continued working on development and aid programs as an independent consultant for many years after his retirement from AID. In these roles Paul helped set up medical clinics, feeding programs, sanitation systems, and improved agricultural operations. He worked in refugee camps, arranged emergency assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters, and organized capital development programs, including dams, oil and gas distribution facilities, and wineries. He was admired for his ability to extemporize and adapt in Third World settings, where resources and experience were in short supply. At Dartmouth Paul anticipated his future career by majoring in international relations and serving as a member of the International Relations, Human Rights, and Foreign Students clubs, as well as the Forensic Union. He crewed on the freshman sailing team. He went on to earn a law degree at the University of Chicago. Following his second retirement, Paul found pleasure in writing spy novels that drew on his world travels and insights. Sailing, skiing, tennis, and watching Formula 1 auto races on television were other strong interests. Paul’s enthusiasm for auto racing even prompted him to get behind the wheel on several occasions.