David AbshireDavid Manker Abshire, a Chattanooga native who in 1962 co-founded the Center for Strategic and International Studies, died peacefully in his sleep Friday, surrounded by family. He was 88.
The CSIS is one of the most influential research institutions in Washington, D.C. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is one of many high-profile former U.S. officials on the board of the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that recently moved into a $100 million building in the capital’s historic Dupont Circle neighborhood.
Abshire, a decorated Korean War veteran who graduated in 1944 from Baylor School here, had nearly 60 years of public service, including as U.S. ambassador to NATO from 1983 to 1987 and as special counselor to President Ronald Reagan during the Iran-Contra crisis.
The long list of Abshire’s accomplishments includes being the first chairman of the board for International Broadcasting, which oversaw Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty; serving on the board of the Procter and Gamble Co., and writing seven books, including “Preventing World War III: A Realistic Grand Strategy.”
“He always considered himself a son of Chattanooga,” said Max Angerholzer, president and CEO of the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, on whose board Abshire served as vice chairman.