Farewell to a Giant

Sad news this morning, as we learn of the death of Caspar Weinberger.  Weinberger served as Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan.  As chief architect of the Reagan-era national defense build-up, Caspar Weinberger, more than any other member of the administration, deserved credit for our peaceful victory in the Cold War against Soviet communism.

But that's not all we should recognize:

Weinberger is mourned by his wife of 63 years.  Go back and read that last sentence again: wife of sixty-three years.  When was the last time you heard of a marriage that lasted so long?

Weinberger, after graduating from Harvard Law School in 1941, enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private to serve his nation in World War II.  During the war, he received his commission and eventually served as a Captain on the intelligence staff of General MacArthur.

Before becoming the Defense Secretary known as "Cap the Knife," Weinberger served in the California Assembly, chaired the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy, was head of the Federal Trade Commission, directed the Office of Management and Budget, and served as Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.  And that's just his government work.  He also worked for a successful law firm and, prior to serving as Secretary of Defense, was the Vice President of Bechtel Corporation.

After his service in the Reagan era, Weinberger became the publisher of Forbes magazine and the author of several books.  Just last year, Weinberger penned a brilliant techno-thriller novel about the assassination of a President, Chain of Command.

I can't think of a better way to show your appreciation for Caspar Weinberger's life of service than to buy this last novel:

Caspar Weinberger, soldier, leader, author, husband: rest in peace.

Comments

[Sid Leiken]

When Cap Weinberger was VP of the Bechtel Corporation, the largest construction company in the world at the time, a fellow named George Shultz was President. President Reagan clearly knew how to pick the great ones.

[Sailor Republica]

Welcome to the Borg's blog, Mayor Leiken!

Yes, Gully, this is a sad day. We remember Cap Weinberger this day, and Buck Owens from yesterday.

[paranoid conspiracy theorist]

Bechtel, Halliburton...

[Sid Leiken]

Sailor

Thank you.

[Brian B]

Mayor LEiken,

I see we're both Roseburg natives. It was an honor to vote for you.

We also lost Lyn Nofziger:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/28/AR2006032800560.html

[Sid Leiken]

Brian

Thank you for your vote and yes I am a Roseburg native, born and raised. My family has been involved with the timber and development industry in Douglas County since 1946.

[Brian B]

Born DCH, 1968, graduated from Douglas HS in 1987. My father was a pastor so we roamed the West Coast in the interim, but this is and always will be home. We lived in Tenmile during my high school years.