It was with great sadness that we announced the passing of Patricia A. Wand, RPCV Colombia (1962-1965, Group 8, Buesaco, Nariño) and Friends of Colombia Board Member in 2023.  

Pat‘s passing is a tragic loss to Friends of Colombia and the wider community. She was a beloved individual who touched the lives of so many with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to the Peace Corps mission.

In addition to serving as a board member for Friends of Colombia, Pat was also NPCA board director from 2005 to 2013 and a founding member and President of the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience.

Pat Wand was a tireless, prodigious leader for the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience. Joining the Museum in 2017, Pat led the volunteer group over the next five years, guiding it from its origins as in Portland, OR to become a national initiative with paid staff and aspirations for a permanent exhibition space in Washington, DC.  Please join us in honoring Pat through continued support for the Museum.
John Rude, President of the Board of Directors of the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience had this to say:
“Until her sudden death in April, 2023, I was the group’s Vice President, working in the background as Pat gave dozens of speeches, asked organizations to mount exhibits, met often with board members, collected Peace Corps-related objects, raised funds to expand operations, and worked constantly to increase the visibility of the Museum.
The Peace Corps Museum would not have gained its current stature, and I would not have acquired half my skills, without Pat Wand’s expert leadership. I remember giving Pat a farewell hug after we ate at a restaurant in Portland in 2022. I thought, “I had no ideas she was such a small woman.”  In my eyes, she was (and remains) a dynamo, larger than life.”

Pat was a shining example of what it means to be passionate about your work and her dedication to researching, archiving, and public service will continue to inspire us. FOC will be contributing to the Pat Wand Memorial Fund at the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience, ensuring that Pat’s legacy lives on through educational endeavors that align with her vision.Please read this touching tribute on the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience website.