The Fund for American Studies mourns the loss of The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and TFAS supporter and friend.
Rumsfeld was a spirited American dedicated to the cause of liberty. As a friend of TFAS, Rumsfeld supported our students through scholarships, mentoring and leadership. His organization, The Rumsfeld Foundation, hosted our interns for several years.
He served as the TFAS 50th Anniversary Gala Chairman when TFAS celebrated half a century of teaching freedom around the world. During the event he reminded guests to “re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of human liberty.”
“When TFAS was founded 50 years ago, our nation was engaged in a great geopolitical struggle against the ideology of communism,” he said. “Today the battle of ideas still divides our world, but we fight on. The future of our great nation depends on our ability to prepare rising leaders to defend and promote a free society.”
TFAS President Roger Ream ’76 remembers Rumsfeld as a dedicated and generous supporter of TFAS programs.
“Don Rumsfeld was a man of generous spirit,” he said. “He made time for our students, especially our academy cadets and military veterans. He understood the importance of investing in the rising generation. He will be missed by all of us at TFAS who had the pleasure to work with him.”
In a statement by the family of Mr. Rumsfeld, they remember him as not only a dedicated public servant, but a devoted father, grandfather and husband.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, an American statesman and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather,” his family said. “At 88, he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico. History may remember him for his extraordinary accomplishments over six decades of public service, but for those who knew him best and whose lives were forever changed as a result, we will remember his unwavering love for his wife Joyce, his family and friends, and the integrity he brought to a life dedicated to country.”
We will remember Mr. Rumsfeld’s contributions to TFAS programs over the years, and we share our condolences with his wife Joyce and the rest of his family as they continue to mourn this loss.
Remember the legacy of Rumsfeld by watching his remarks from the TFAS 50th Anniversary Gala below: