People to People International pays tribute to our remarkable Chairman Emeritus, Ambassador Julian Niemczyk. A pillar of the organization for decades, and a remarkable individual, Jay leaves an incomparable legacy. We keep his wife, Peg, in our thoughts during this sad time and we keep Jay forever in our hearts.
Mary Jean Eisenhower
President/CEO
For decades, Julian “Jay” Niemczyk tirelessly served as a leader within PTPI, embracing the mission of Peace through Understanding. He was the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1986-1989. He also served at the American Embassy in Prague from 1967-1969. He was in the U.S. Army and Air Force from 1940-1971. His military service included assignments with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII in Burma and China. Jay served a four-year tour of duty with the National Security Agency (NSA) and a four-year tour with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He later served as Director for the Eastern European Office, International Security Affairs Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon.
Jay was for eight years the Executive Director of the National Republican Heritage Group’s Division of the Republican National Committee. In 1983 he became CEO of PTPI and in 1996 was elected Chairman Emeritus. Jay was instrumental in the growth and development of PTPI’s Chapter Network and numerous efforts, such as the Meet the Diplomats Program. His leadership and unwavering dedication to our global outreach has been a priceless asset to the success of our organization. His many honors include the Slovak Presidential decoration and the Order of the White Ducal Cross.
It was difficult to learn the sad news of the passing of our Chairman Emeritus of PTPI – Ambassador Julian (Jay) Niemczyk. He was a remarkable man that we are honored to have worked with and learned from over the years. He was more than our mentor. He was our treasured friend. We love and miss you, Jay!
I was deeply saddened when I learned about Ambassador Julian (Jay) Niemczyk’s passing. My heart goes out to his wife, Peg, and the PTPI family in this shared-time of loss and sorrow. Jay spent his life serving his country, his family, PTPI and so many others around the world in ways large and small. I am so thankful to have known him for so many years. The memory of Jay will always be in our hearts.
Jay was my first boss. He gave me the opportunity to begin, the tools to succeed and the lessons to do it well. I worked for him in 1979 and remained close to Jay and Peggy for 30 years. I became a Board of Trustee member at PTPI through Jay. My window to global understanding came through his remarkable perception and wisdom. I remember so fondly many times together.. at the US residence in Prague, the OSS event in Banska Bistrice, and the trip I took with Jay, Mary Eisenhower, Bill and Nancy Tucker and others to China with my daughter Sarah. . To see Jay and Sarah (then aged 16) at the top of the Great Wall is a memory that will stand the test of time for me. Both Sarah and Rachel believe that Mr. Ambassador was was important part of our lives and it was Rachel who called to tell me of his passing.
Ambassador Niemczyk is a true American patriot who gave to our country and to world peace and understanding in a way to which all of us can aspire. My love to Peggy and to all the PTPI family who knew and respected him. It is a great loss for us, but a remarkable PTPI Ambassador for whom we can all be proud.