AFGHANISTAN AND THE EVER-CHANGING MIDDLE EAST: FACTS, FALLACIES, FANTASIES

Thomas Gouttierre became a master pastry chef at 18 while working in a family bakery in Maumee, Ohio. He and his wife Marylu went to Afghanistan in 1965 as Peace Corps Volunteers; they returned in 1969 when Tom received a Fulbright Scholarship. In 1971 Tom became Executive Director of the USA Fulbright Foundation in Afghanistan.

Throughout his time in Afghanistan, Gouttierre was coach of the Afghanistan National Basketball Team. Tom was featured in Sports Illustrated as the “Wizard of Kabul.” For the full story, click this link: https://vault.si.com/vault/2013/07/22/the-wizard-of-kabul

Gouttierre served as Dean of International Studies & Programs(IS&P) and Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University Nebraska Omaha from 1974 until he retired in 2015. He also served as Dean of IS&P at the University Nebraska Medical Center from 1987 until 2010. 

Gouttierre joined the Rotary Club of Omaha in 1975; he served as club president in 1995-96.

Tom and Marylu have 3 sons and 5 grandchildren. They have lived in the same house – the only house they have ever owned – in the Dundee neighborhood throughout their 47 years in Omaha. All members of the Gouttierre family are passionate fans of Detroit   Tigers baseball!