Veteran White House Adviser David Gergen Dies at 83

David Gergen, a veteran White House adviser and CNN political analyst who worked with Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton, passed away this week at the age of 83. The Harvard Kennedy School has confirmed the passing of a longtime professor and founding director of the Center for Public Leadership, citing a prolonged illness as the cause.

Recognized for his collaborative style and commitment to serving the public, Gergen launched his political journey as a speechwriting assistant to President Richard Nixon in 1971. In the following thirty years, he emerged as a prominent player in Washington, taking on significant positions including White House communications director and presidential counselor.

Jeremy Weinstein, dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, commended Gergen for his long-standing dedication to “those who sought to serve.” Hannah Riley Bowles, who previously served as co-director of the Center for Public Leadership, described him as “a principled leader of unmatched character, integrity, and kindness.”

Originating from North Carolina, Gergen completed his studies at Yale and subsequently obtained a law degree from Harvard. Before embarking on his public career, he had a notable tenure in the U.S. Navy. Throughout his career, he was awarded 27 honorary degrees and wrote multiple books, one of which is Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made, published in 2022.

A private burial is scheduled for Monday at Mount Auburn Cemetery, followed by a public memorial service at Harvard in the weeks ahead.

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