The Fletcher School

I am still shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely loss of Miguel, a former colleague and friend. Mexico lost a great man. My prayers are with his beloved family.

It is very sad to lose such a wonderful person. He was a good friend to all and easy to get along. I will never forget his always smiling face and cheerful demeanor.Of course we all remember him as the fun leader during Mexico residency. It is shame to have such a bright and promising career to be cut short. My sincere condolences to his wife and the boys.

I am very saddened to hear the news that Miguel had passed away. The Papp family just celebrated the return of my brother Jim from Iraq after 18 months in Balad and Basara. Having a younger brother in "harms way" has heighten my appreciation for life and the love for family and friends. Miguel was such a special person. Ted, had said it all, "celebrating the person". As I drove back to Atlanta from Dave's funeral in South Carolina, I could not also help but think about the celebration of Dave's life. It was a happy feeling. I remember how proud Miguel was to have his family and parents at our residency dinner in the "cave". He bounced from table to table toasting our class. And who couldn't remember the singing! That is the way I will always remember him. Like Zak, I raise a glass in celebration of wonderful person and I hope and pray to see him on the other side.

Miguel was a true friend and one of our best diplomats. As a colleague in the Mexican Foreign Ministry I always benefited from his advice and good humor. My thoughts go to his wife and kids.

Miguel will always be remembered as a great friend, happy and nice. He will also be remembered by his contributions to make Mexico a better place to live. All of his friends will really miss him.

I just learned of this and find myself at an utter loss to express how I feel. Miguel and I spent much time together during GMAP and in Washington when I visited. It has been some time since we last met and now I greatly regret not having kept in closer touch. He was a remarkable human being who brought me much joy and a sense that things were somehow right with the world. And though I met his family briefly, I felt great affection for them too. I will remember him as a treasured companion who so briefly shared my life's journey and has left me longing.

While I am writing this, I am reminded of his penchant for singing. My memory of it is that the songs mattered less to me than my feeling at the time that his voice reflected the sincerity and the openness of his heart. Few are blessed with that airiness of spirit. I am lucky to have known him. Goodbye my friend, I hope to someday see you on the other side! I am sure I will find you singing with a glass of the best ale that heaven can provide.

I am shocked. It is very hard to believe. This is a big loss for us. We will remember our friend Miguel. He was a great men and a world-class diplomat.

What a sad and unfair tragedy. Died on duty. Miguel does not come from the easiest county in the world but he was probably the most optimistic person in our class. I learned from him and I will always remember him. My deepest condolences to his wife and kids.

My heart goes out to his family. We had lunch with Miguel, Maru, Miguel and Mateo in D.C. before he returned to Mexico. Through his boys I could see the caring, attention and love of Miguel and Maru.

It is very sad news in a moment that should be of joy to US and the whole world. My condolences to his family and friends.

This is heartbreaking. What a wonderful photo. Exactly how I remember him Friendly, smart, and all class.

I am profoundly saddened by Miguel’s tragic passing. He was a very large part of the soul of our class; a keenly intelligent, enthusiastic and warm man with a big heart. Wherever we went as a group, Miguel was a constant source of infectious energy and fun. Miguel was a class act on all levels and I feel a deep sadness for the loss his wonderful family has suffered.

I am heartbroken to hear about Miguel's death. He was my roommate during the first GMAP’04 residency and we bonded over a shared worldview and fascination with international affairs. He was a constantly upbeat presence who nonetheless could be counted on for straight talk in personal discussions as well as on our discussion boards. I remember well his infectious joy when his wife and children visited the Tufts campus, and again when they accompanied us on a tour of Teotihuacán Park near Mexico City. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

When I looked into pursuing a master’s degree through Fletcher’s GMAP program, I was concerned that I might not be able to juggle the demanding program with my equally demanding job as a foreign correspondent based in Mexico City. I heard that someone in the Mexican Foreign Ministry had recently completed the degree, and I contacted him. Miguel readily agreed to have breakfast with me. When I arrived at the restaurant a week later, the first thing he did was hand me two huge, white plastic binders, each weighing several pounds. ‘Take these home and look through them,’ he told me with a malicious grin. ‘These are the course materials for just one of the classes you’ll be taking—Trade Economics.’ He watched as my smile wilted. ‘But don’t worry—you’ll manage. It’s a tough program, but it’s do-able.’

A few weeks later, after I had gingerly leafed through the pages of complex equations, I returned the binders to him and told him I had decided to do the GMAP program. He said that I wouldn’t regret it—that it had been a wonderful learning experience and a priceless opportunity to form solid friendships with people from all around the world. ‘You won’t sleep much, and your social life will suffer, but it’s worth it,’ he said.

I ran into Miguel over the course of the next year at parties where foreign affairs ministry folks and journalists mingled, and he smiled with sympathy at my tales of pulling all-nighters to complete term papers. By then, he had vaulted to an important job as foreign press spokesman for Mexican President Felipe Calderón. Later, he transferred to the Interior Ministry, where he performed the same role as press adviser to the minister, Juan Camilo Mourino.

The job entailed long hours and constant travel, something that is part and parcel of career diplomats and top government officials. We met less often, talking only occasionally by telephone about some journalistic question I had. But always, at the end of the conversation, talk would turn to our shared Fletcher experience, the academic challenge that we both had faced with some trepidation, yet managed to achieve. When I think of Miguel Monterrubio, I will always remember him as endlessly curious and a tireless learner—someone who still had a lifetime of learning and growth ahead of him, tragically cut short.

I am shocked and numbed reading about Miguel's tragic plane crash. In April, I spent a few very memorable days with Miguel, Maru and their incredible sons Miguelito and Mateo. Miguel's door was always wide open for GMAP alumni, welcoming guests with his typical affectionate hug and gigantic smile. I remember playing basketball with his boys, and helping Maru pack Miguelito's bag for his first school trip alone to faraway Canada. I remember Miguel telling me about his job, which he so much enjoyed. I remember and miss eating out in Miguel's favorite taco bar, the same place he showed us during the Mexico GMAP residency in 2004. During the residency, he also took a group of us to Plaza Garibaldi, where we arrived past midnight. Although everything was closed, it took him only a few seconds to organize a table, few chairs, tequila, mariachi band, el toque and an armed policeman to protect us in the middle of the square. I will never forget Miguel's sentimental Latin voice singing his grandfather's favorite songs. He shared with us that originally, he wanted to be a toreador, and taught us some elegant moves. Miguel was a brave, caring, and gifted man, whose loss leaves an irrational void. My love and prayers go to Miguel's family.

I'll miss Miguel's smile. Something that Bob and I both took away from David's funeral was celebrating the person and not just being sad at the loss. In that spirit, say, ‘hey, c'mon’ out loud in Miguel's accent. Hopefully that will bring a smile to your face.

I'm just happy I got to spend time with him in my first team (with David, Carolina, Nod and Zak) and as a roommate for our last residency. Our first team got off to a rough start, and it became apparent to me that Miguel had diplomacy in his DNA; he was very good at seeking solutions with the rare blend of kindness, humility and intelligence. He was simply good people. He also made me realize that all Latino men can sing on key, in any key. I admired that he was doing what he really enjoyed, all the while keeping a focus on making sure he had time for his family. My condolences to Maru, Miguel and Mateo.

What a terrible loss. Miguel was always a breath of sunshine and good cheer in our class. My heart breaks for his wife and sons.

I heard about the plane crash a couple of days ago, never crossed my mind he was on the flight.

Tragic and too shocking for words. Cannot find the right adjectives to describe his personality. Suffice it to say - although he was plucked in his prime, he left an indelible mark personally and professionally. So full of life, so full of energy...

May his soul rest in peace and my profound and sincere condolence to his young family. I pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.