10/26/2011

Howard Wolpe, Congressman and Diplomat, 1939-2011



Howard Wolpe - Congressman, professor, diplomat, and 1994 Democratic nominee for Governor of Michigan - has died. Wolpe, 71, was preceded in death by his wife, Judy (1944-2006).

From his obituary on Mlive.com:

Wolpe was first elected to Congress in 1978 and represented the Kalamazoo area for seven terms.

A native of California, Wolpe moved to Kalamazoo to teach at Western Michigan University. He was an expert in African political systems.

He served on the Kalamazoo City Commission from 1969-72, when he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives.


Wolpe also served as Director of the Africa program for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Here's some of his recent work on Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other Africa-related issues.

There are politicians, and then there are public servants. Wolpe was a public servant.

May he rest in peace. May his family and friends find comfort.

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