David Gargan dies in 83: Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton, former advisors to American Presidents; Private burial planned in Massachusetts

David Gragen, an American political commentator, who worked for four US presidents and spent decades in the government, academics and media, died on Thursday at the age of 83.Gargen served in the administration of President Richard Nixon, Garald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Over the years, he worked as a speech writer, director of communication in other roles, and presidential counselor.According to Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Wenstein, Gargan died after a prolonged illness. Hannah Relay Bows, a former co-director of the school’s Center for Public Leadership, praised him, saying that he dedicated decades of his life to serve those who had demanded to serve. “David was a royal leader of unmatched character, integrity and kindness, who chose to see goodness in every person he found,” said the relay boys.Former Vice President Al Gor, who served during the tenure of US President Bill Clinton, also paid tribute to X, writing on X: “Innumerable ways that David Gargan contributed to our great country, which I will remember, she worked with his kindness the most, he worked with his sound decisions, and his devotion to do good in the world.”Gargan was born in North Carolina and graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School. According to Harvard Kennedy School, he received 27 honorary degrees during his career.He also established the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School and remained there as Professor of Public Service Emeritus until his death.After serving the US Navy in the 1960s, Gargan started his White House Career in 1971 as a speech writing assistant for President Nixon. The colleagues described him as the champion of bilateral and cooperation throughout his career.He is also known as a senior political analyst for CNN. In his 2022 book, Hearts Tucked with Fire: How Great Leaders became, Gargan wrote: “Our greatest leaders have emerged from a good time and more often from challenging people. … The best of them makes difficult calls, which can eventually change the course of history.”A private burial is scheduled for Monday in the Mount Obern cemetery at Massachusetts. A large memorial service in Harvard will be held in the coming weeks, which will be confirmed by Mark Douglas, director of Douglas Funeral Home at Lexington, Massachusetts.