The Washington Times

May 5, 1993, Wednesday, Final Edition

Rafael D. Pagan, 67, adviser to 5 presidents

SECTION: Part B; METROPOLITAN; OBITUARIES; Pg. B6

LENGTH: 416 words

Rafael D. Pagan, 67, an international business executive and adviser to five presidents, diedof pneumonia May 1 at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.

A former Army intelligence officer, the Potomac resident briefed Presidents Kennedy andJohnson on the Soviet bloc's military and economic capabilities. He advised Presidents Nixon,Reagan and Bush on policies promoting Third World social and economic development.

Mr. Reagan presented Mr. Pagan with a Life Achievement Award for his contributions toeconomic and social development.

Born in Puerto Rico in 1926, Mr. Pagan graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in 1948.He moved to the United States with his brother Benjamin before they joined the Army in1950.

Mr. Pagan was awarded a Bronze Star for his military service when he was wounded afterparachuting behind enemy lines in the Korean War. He stayed with the Army as anintelligence officer with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, retiring as a colonel after 20years' service.

Mr. Pagan began his international business career in 1970 as a senior executive in newbusiness development with three major multinational companies, International Nickel ofCanada (now Inco), Castle & Cooke (now Dole), and Nestle. He specialized in addressingconflicts for multinational companies seeking to invest and operate in Third World countries.

Mr. Pagan was awarded a Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America in1986 for his work in resolving an international boycott against Nestle and his work in creatinga code of ethical practices for marketing infant formula in Third World countries.

He was chairman of Previa Inc., a company he founded in 1987 to bring together investors,entrepreneurs and government officials from Asia and the Caribbean to promote economicdevelopment.

Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Hazel Jean, a daughter, Lydia, and a son, Mark, all ofPotomac; two daughters and two sons from a previous marriage, Grizelle Apodaca of Davis,Calif., Georgina Pagan of Rockville, Ralph Pagan of Gaithersburg and David Pagan ofDamascus; three brothers, Dr. Benjamin Pagan, Dr. Hector Pagan and Samuel Pagan, all ofSan Juan, Puerto Rico; and a sister, Ana Lydia Pagan, also of San Juan.

Burial will be at 9 a.m. Friday in Arlington National Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at11:30 a.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Potomac.