In Remembrance
Paintbrush Diplomacy is indebted to Doug’s commitment and dedication to our goal of fostering peace worldwide via children and their artwork. Serving on the Paintbrush Diplomacy Board of Directors from 2003 to 2011, Doug will always be remembered and will forever remain a part of our team.
If you knew Doug and would like to write a message, please send it in to us, and we’ll add it to our collection of memories below.
Louise Valeur (Executive Director) : While walking in the redwoods, and feeling Doug’s presence, I was mindful of how he reminded me of a grand tree. He was rooted with his family and business but he also had all these strong branches. He reached out and made a difference in people’s lives he touched across the globe. His philanthropy could be shipping pallets of survival goods to far-off places or sort through children’s art for our annual exchange. He often said, “Try many things and one will stick.” Over the years, we did just that. These ideas ranged from funding an art teacher in Afghanistan to engaging university students to conduct art workshops while traveling internationally. I, like so many others, am grateful for his insight, loyalty, and guidance that helped shape Paintbrush Diplomacy for nearly a decade.
Frances Villar (Intern) : The first time I met Doug was at a Paintbrush Diplomacy meeting. I can still remember how I was greeted with his warm smile. I feel fortunate that I was able to help out with Orchard International because I got to know Doug on a personal level. Our meetings were fun – most times we just ate and got off into tangents, but I knew that these breaks helped to clear his mind a bit from thinking of other projects. Doug was very generous and helped to improve the lives of everyone he met. I was inspired by his generosity and looked up to him. Doug was more than a mentor, he was a friend. His warm smile will remain in our hearts and his generous spirit will never leave us.
Lena Vuong (Intern) : Doug Franco was an extremely dedicated and generous man. His gentle presence will be missed by all of us, and his devotion to helping others will live on in the people he has met.
Sarah Kodamati (Intern) : When I first met Doug, I was inspired by his dedication to helping others. I looked up to him and will always do.
Anna Kim (Intern) : I first met Doug at a Paintbrush Diplomacy meeting. Even though everyone was exhausted from the busy activities of their days, his smile and encouraging words brightened up the meeting. He had a knack for that. His presence at Paintbrush was treasured and will be missed.
Andrea Henderson (Intern) : Paintbrush will not be the same without Doug’s huge smile and gracious attitude. He always made us laugh and was such a support to our cause and his own nonprofit, Orchard International. His efforts have made an impact on so many lives and he will surely be missed in this world. Rest in peace, Doug.
Ian Gardiner (former Paintbrush Diplomacy Intern) : Doug was an inspiration to me, at every meeting or encountering. And his ideas, stories, and humor were a pleasure to have known. I often found myself thinking about an idea, business or otherwise, and asking myself what Doug would have said or done to take it to the next level. He was also just a kind soul who listened intensely. He will be deeply missed. I wish his family and friends unwavering strength during this time.
