Robert G. Rapson

Biography

Mr. Rapson is a career U.S. diplomat who joined the U.S. Department of State in 1983. He has been serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur since his arrival in Malaysia in July 2008. Immediately prior to his current assignment, he was the Director of the State Department's Office of Mainland Southeast Asia Affairs (2006-08).

Mr. Rapson’s previous overseas tours as a US diplomat include India, Korea (twice), Japan, and Indonesia. In Washington, he has also held assignments as the Division Chief for Bilateral Trade for Asia, Near East and Africa; Desk Officer in the Office of Japanese Affairs; and as a Watch Officer in the Department’s 24-hour Operations Center.

Mr. Rapson holds a BA from the Pennsylvania State University and is a graduate of the Singapore American School. His wife and two teenage boys reside with him in Kuala Lumpur. He enjoys tennis and golf in his spare time.