“He never stopped caring, contributing, and speaking out.”
“He was a diplomatic giant” who “devoted his life to the security of our nation and to strengthening our ties with allies and partners.”
“ … a consummate professional who served his country expertly and with great dignity …”
“… nothing short of heroic …”
These tributes come from some of the most notable Americans of our day: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Gerald L. Baliles, director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia; President Barack Obama; former Secretary of State James A. Baker; former President George H.W. Bush.
They are describing Lawrence Eagleburger, Albemarle County resident and former secretary of state.
Mr. Eagleburger died June 4 at the University of Virginia Medical Center after a brief illness.
What a loss.
Yet while mourning that loss, we should focus with gratitude on the decades of dedicated service he gave to his country, his community, his friends.
Mr. Eagleburger was the only career foreign service officer to rise to the position of secretary of state. He served during the administrations of John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Mr. Bush, much of that time in high positions.
Even after retiring, he continued to contribute. For instance, he accepted a call in 2006 to serve on the Iraq Study Group, the blue-ribbon panel headed by Mr. Baker and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind., which ended up recommending a gradual troop pullback and stepped-up diplomacy to help extricate the U.S. from Iraq. He did not shirk from the difficulty or the politically sensitive nature of the task.
Mr. Eagleburger’s work was always professional, not partisan, and of such high quality as to gain the respect of both parties.
He was intelligent and hard-working, his colleagues say. He had a sense for predicting trouble on the global scene, and he had the skill to help diffuse that trouble (President Bush’s comment about his “heroic” performance relates to his mission to Israel during Saddam Hussein’s deadly and deliberately provocative Scud missile attacks.)
Mr. Eagleburger also had a reputation for a straightforward, even blunt-speaking, style — but he combined that style with smart and persuasive diplomacy.
He also had a sense of humor, and wasn’t afraid to use it — rare in today’s hypersensitive times. Asked by reporters how he planned to run the State Department after taking over from boss Baker, Mr. Eagleburger simply responded: “Badly.”
His humor was often self-deprecating.
And despite his powerful intellect and impressive credentials, he was personable and approachable. He deftly put others at ease.
In addition to his service to his country, he and his wife, Marlene (who died last year) contributed richly to the welfare of this community and to the lives of their friends.
“As good as they come,” said Mr. Baker.
And that is a fitting tribute not only to his career, but to his character.
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