Cathedral Funeral for Chevy Chase Student Killed in Egypt

By Laura L. Thornton

Family and friends of Andrew Pochter—the young man from Chevy Chase killed during a violent political protest in Alexandria, Egypt, on June 28—will gather on Friday for a funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral, according to a statement released by the cathedral Wednesday.

Pochter, a 21-year-old Kenyon College student who would have entered his junior year this fall, was in Egypt this summer to teach English to elementary school children and improve his Arabic skills, the statement said.

A family spokeswoman told The Washington Post that Pochter's family was told he was stabbed by a protester while observing the protest.

"Andrew Pochter’s tragic and untimely death reminds us both of the depths and heights the human spirit can achieve," the Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of Washington National Cathedral, said in the statement.

"While I did not know Andrew personally, like so many people across the nation, I have been moved by his story—that a person of peace on a mission of cross-cultural understanding reached out to teach, serve and broaden his own experience. We at the [Washington National] Cathedral both mourn his loss and celebrate his life—one possessed of such rare dedication and promise. We will hold him and his family in our hearts and minds in the days and years ahead."

The Rev. Dr. Rose Duncan, associate rector of Pochter's family's church, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Upper Northwest Washington, DC, will co-preside at the service with the Rev. Gina Campbell, director of worship at the Washington National Cathedral. Rabbi Hannah Goldstein of Temple Sinai also will participate.

The Rev. David McIlhiney, chaplain at the Blue Ridge School in Charlottesville, VA, where Pochter graduated from high school, will give the homily.

Pochter's family has said that contributions in his name may be made to Kenyon College, Development Office, Gambier, OH 43022, or www.Kenyon.edu, for study abroad in the Middle East; or to Blue Ridge School, St. George, VA, or www.blueridgeschool.com, to advance foreign language study, according to an obituary posted on legacy.com.