DR Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs)
One of the purposes of Friends of the Dominican Republic is to connect current and former Volunteers who served in the Dominican Republic. We try to accomplish this by encouraging current Volunteers and RPCVs to register with FDR and complete their profile in the Member Directory/database, by publishing articles about the projects and programs of current Volunteers supported by FDR, by publishing on electronic newsletter, La Voz, and by proving obituaries about the deaths of RPCVs that served in-country.On this page we highlight just a few of the RPCVs that have served in country by providing information about them and links to other available information. However, we know there is much more information available that we have not seen or has not been sent to us. So please, if you have information about RPCV's you believe we should highlight for their activities during or after their service in-country, please send to: president@fotdr.org for our information.
A Note About Obituaries
We use "web crawlers" to gather obituaries about RPCVs that served in the Dominican Republic but we assume we miss many obituaries through this process. So again, if you have an obituary about an RPCV's you believe we do not have, please send it to: president@fotdr.org for our information. And also please note that we are currently updating our list of RPCV obituaries and that page is not currently available for viewing. We hope to have the obituary page back online in the near future.
Writers
Mary Kay Carson (1987-99) is a nonfiction childen's book author. She's written more than 30 books for kids about wildlife, space, weather, nature and other science and history topics. Check out her books.
Lew Gottfried author of "Traveling Unchartered Paths" describes his Peace Corps experiences with his wife in the Dominican Republic. He also wrote "Protecting Our Liberties," a collection on WWII stories, among other books. Find him on Facebook.
Al Kamen (1967-69) Formerly wrote the column, "In The Loop" for the Washington Post.
John Miller (1962-64) Author of the time-travel trilogy, "Citrust White Gold", "The Gatherers", "Deep Florida" and "You Can't Pick Up Raindrops" and "Zapatos", stories inspired by his Peace Corps service.
Barbara Peabody (1968-'69, wife of PC staff physician, Dr. Walter Vom Lehn) wrote from her era following the end of Trujillo and the affect on her sister, Ofelia Japonesa, and her nest in Santo Domingo. Read about it in Barrio Vietnam.
Elaine (Reidy) Schiefer (1963-65) wrote "The Shortest Way Home", a fictional account of a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic.
Jan Steckel (1985-87) is an award-winning published writer and a former pediatrician who took care of Spanish-speaking patients at a county hospital and at a large HMO in California. You can read some of her work (including four stories about the D. R., one of which was nominated for a Pushcart Prize). Author of "The Underwater Hospital" (Zeitgeist Press, 2006).
Kate Wallace (1994-97) co-author of "Ruta Barrancoli: A Bird-Finding Guide to the Dominican Republic", 2012.
Artists
David Bradley (1975-76), a Native American artist, served in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Current works sold through Blue Rain Gallery/Santa Fe New Mexico.
Danyl Cook (1991-93) Danyl's lover of nature and foreign places are the source of his contemporary drawings and paintings.
Diane Jakubowski (1985-87) fashion, fiber art and furniture.
Katherine Kimball (1991-93) Photojournalist and photographer in Oregon.
Andrea Yajko (2001-03) was inspired by her service in DR to create her art.
Astronauts
Joseph Acaba (1994-96), is an educator, hydrogeologist, astronaut and former Peace Corps Volunteer. He became the first person of Puerto Rican heritage to be names as a NASA astronaut candidate. He trained over 300 teachers during his time in the Dominican Republic.
Higher Education
Jonathan Lash (1967-69) Retired president of New Hampshire College in Amherst, MA and member of the Board of Directors of World Resources Institute where he served as president from 1993-2011.
Non-Government Organizations
Randy Adams (1966-69) VP for Development (North American Board Member, International Association for Community Development (IACD), Past President, Community Development Society (CDS/US) and Executive Director (1998-06), Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP).
Jonathon Welle ('08-'10) serves as Director of Business Development.
Public Servants/International Development
Joe Kennedy III (2004-06) became Massachusetts' fourth district Congressional representative in 2012. Eco Tourism in the Dominican Republic (video). Cape Codders talk about the Peace Corps experience (video).
Christopher Dodd (1966-68) served in Monción, Dom. Rep, then joined the Army National Guard and later the US Army Reserves. He is a former US Senator from Connecticut. Postcard from the Dominican Republic: Chris Dodd.
Aaron Williams (1967-70) was the 18th director of the Peace Corps before returning to a career in international development. He met his wife, Rose, during his time in the Dominican Republic.
Robert Reid (1974-6), career with Peace Corps, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, Winrock International, USAID, USSOCOM, and Millennium Challenge Fund.
Travel
Evan Caplan (2007-09) and Katie Tuider (2007-10) authored "Dominican Republic (Other Places Travel Guide).
Dave Kaufman (1962-64 ) (now deceased) and his wife Anita opened the Spanish Language School, Conversa in Costa Rica. David's son, Andy, is now operating the school and Anita is still involved.
Kate Wallace (1994-97) owner and local guide to specializes in individualized tropical birding tours in the Dominican Republic. Her company is Tody Tours.