David Anthony Quinlan – Colonel, United States Marine Corps

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From a contemporary news report:

David Anthony Quinlan, 65, a retired Marine Corps Colonel who became a businessman specializing in Russian high-tech companies, died November 7, 2003, at a hotel in Moscow after an apparent stroke.

He had been a Washington area resident since 1970 and lived in Alexandria. He was on a business assignment when he died.

Colonel Quinlan was in the Marine Corps from 1960 to 1984. He served in Vietnam during the war there and was wounded at Con Thien.

In 1973 and 1974, he was aide-de-camp to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The next year, he commanded the amphibious evacuation security force during the evacuation of Saigon.

His final active-duty assignment was as head of the requirements and validation branch at Marine Corps headquarters.

He co-wrote “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Bitter End, 1973-1975,” published in 1990 by the U.S. Marine Corps history and museums division.

His decorations included the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Joint Services Commendation Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.

He was born in Ware, Massachusetts, and raised in Norwich, Connecticut. He was a 1960 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a 1979 graduate of George Washington University’s law school. He received a master’s degree in business systems analyses from the University of Rochester.

After retiring from the military, he joined United Technologies Corporation and later transferred to its subsidiary Pratt & Whitney, where he remained until retiring in 1999 as vice president of international operations. His specialty was aerospace issues, and he played a significant role in space propulsion joint ventures in Europe and Russia.

He later formed DAQ Associates, which promoted entrepreneurial high-tech companies. He also was a founder of Echotech, a start-up company involved in Russian earthquake-detection technology.

He did consulting work for ArrayComm Inc., which promotes wireless broadband technology in the United States and Russia.

He was managing director of OAK Global, which also does work in broadband wireless networks, and was on business for that company in Russia when he died.

He was a former Boy Scout troop leader.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Suzanne Treadwell Quinlan of Alexandria; two children, Kristen Treadwell Quinlan of Arlington and Lowndes Christopher Quinlan of Charlotte; a sister; and a grandson.

QUINLAN, DAVID ANTHONY

Of Alexandria, Virginia, died on November 7, 2003 in Moscow, Russia.

David is survived by his loving wife Suzanne; his children Lowndes and Cindy Quinlan of Charlotte, North Carolina and Kristen Quinlan of Arlington, Virginia, and one grandchild, Collin Randal Quinlan. Also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Richard Norman of Hingham, Massachusetts; niece Suzanne Norman and nephew Bryan.

Funeral services will be held on November 19, at 11 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Maria’s Children, 4321 West Hwy. 13, Savage, MN 55378.

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