Joseph "Joe" James Borich

Joseph James Borich, “Joe,” retired Foreign Service Officer, passed away on February 23, 2026, in Edmonds, WA. Born in Duluth, MN, his family moved to Sioux Falls, SD, when Joe was ten years old. Joe completed his education in South Dakota, eventually earning both bachelor's and master's degrees.

From an early age onward, Joe chafed at confinement, be it his crib, playpen, a locked house or a fenced yard. That early restlessness foreshadowed his adult travels around the world. In 1967, Joe spent three months in Hawaii training for a two-year assignment in the Peace Corps (Group 18, Thailand). Joe's proficiency in foreign languages was recognized when he was selected from his training group to address welcoming Thai officials upon arrival in Bangkok.

Joe's assignment to Thailand was curtailed in 1969 when Joe's Selective Service status was reclassified. He subsequently was sent to Vietnamese language training, followed by a tour in Vietnam from 1970-1971 where he acted as an interpreter. On a whim, Joe took advantage of a three-day pass to Saigon to take the U.S. Department of State written Foreign Service examination, which he promptly forgot about when he returned to South Dakota after completing his Vietnam tour. The State Department eventually got his attention and he successfully completed their lengthy and challenging screening.

In 1972, he began a nine-month foreign service course in Mandarin Chinese, followed by his first overseas assignment to Taipei, Taiwan, 1973-1975. Following domestic assignments in the State Department for the next few years, Joe was selected to be part of the team that would re-open the American consulate in Shanghai, China, which had been closed for thirty years when the Communist government no longer recognized the diplomatic status of the United States. Joe was present when the American flag that formerly flew over the consulate in 1950 was presented to consulate officers in 1980. Joe served in Shanghai, 1980-1982.

Following his tour in Shanghai, Joe returned to Taipei, where he was assigned to American Institute in Taiwan,1982-1986. In 1988, Joe served as Deputy Chief of Mission/Charge d’affaires of American Embassy Mogadishu, during a period of unrest. In 1990, civil war erupted in Somalia; Joe, along with U.S. and foreign diplomats, were evacuated during Operation Eastern Exit. In 1994, he returned to Shanghai, serving as Consul General in a consulate that had grown significantly in size since his previous assignment.

After a twenty-five year career spent in diplomatic service to his country, Joe retired to the Seattle area, where he became president of the Washington State China Relations Council, 1997-2013. Joe was fluent in Mandarin, loved music, and was a passionate cribbage player. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joe and Elaine Borich. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Hsiao-Hui; his children, Grace Borich, Stephanie Smith (Brad), J. Zachary Borich (Christie); his former wife Beverly Christiana; his grandchildren, RaeAnne Smith, Brett Smith, Danielle Smith, Jackson Borich; and his siblings Clare Becker, Marty Baxter, Timothy Borich (Jeanette); and a host of other relatives and friends.

Interment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA, on 26 March 2026. A celebration of life, where family and friends are welcome to attend and share memories of Joe, will be held on 28 March 2026 at 4:00pm, American Legion Post 227, 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.