Robert James McCloskey was born November 25, 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – son of Thomas McCloskey and Anna Wallace; died November 28, 1996 in Chevy Chase, Maryland

Chevy Chase, Maryland

Chevy Chase is the name of both a town and an unincorporated census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland. In addition, a number of villages in the same area of Montgomery County include "Chevy Chase" in their names...

. He was spokesperson for the United States Department of State

United States Department of State

The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...

 from 1964–1973 but after a short stint (June 20, 1973 to January 14, 1974) as United States Ambassador to Cyprus

United States Ambassador to Cyprus

This is a list of Ambassadors of the United States to Cyprus.Until 1960 Cyprus had been a colony of the British Empire. On August 16, 1960 Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom. The United States recognized the new nation and established an embassy in Nicosia on August 16, 1960,...

, he was asked to return to his old job as spokesperson. From February 21, 1975 to September 10, 1976 he served as Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations

Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs

The Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Legislative Affairs within the United States Department of State.- List of Assistant Secretaries of State for Legislative Affairs :-External links:**...

. He later served as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands

United States Ambassador to the Netherlands

The United States diplomatic mission to the Netherlands consists of the embassy located in The Hague and a consular office located in Amsterdam.In 1782, John Adams was appointed America's first Minister Plenipotentiary to Holland...

 and to Greece

United States Ambassador to Greece

This is a list of ambassadors from the United States to Greece.*Charles Keating Tuckerman *John M. Francis *John M. Read, Jr. *John M. Read, Jr....

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His government career was followed by a stint as ombsbudsman at the Washington Post, then as senior vice president of International Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Founded in 1943 by the U.S. bishops, the agency provides assistance to 130 million people in more than 90 countries and territories in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and...

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He married on July 8, 1961 Anne Taylor Phelan. They had two daughters, Lisa and Andre.