Celebrating Stephen Bosworth

Ambassador Stephen W. Bosworth, a Belfer Center senior fellow, former ambassador, university dean, and long-time public servant, died on January 4, 2016, at the age of 76.

In the days following the announcement of Bosworth’s passing, government officials, colleagues, students, and friends from around the world expressed their condolences and deep respect for him as a kind and wise man and consummate diplomat.

In a statement released on January 5, Secretary of State John Kerry wrote: “I’ve known Ambassador Bosworth since the mid-1980s, when I was a young senator and he was a young diplomat, We were trying to help restore democracy in the Philippines, and Stephen wound up playing a key role in that historic transition. Steve’s unique brand of diplomacy blended the gravitas of a statesman and the timing of a comedian. He was an unfailingly genuine and nice person, a straight-forward man who was quick with a kind comment or a self-deprecating joke. [He] is a legend in Foggy Bottom, beloved by all.”

During his career in government, Bosworth served as United States ambassador to Tunisia, the Philippines, and South Korea under Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. In 2009, under President Obama he was named special representative for North Korea policy.

Bosworth joined the Belfer Center as a senior fellow in 2013 following a lengthy tenure as dean of The Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

In a celebration of his life held in February at Harvard’s Memorial Church, family members, friends, and colleagues gathered from around the world to pay tribute to Bosworth’s public service and to his humanity.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Albert del Rosario, who took part in the People Power Revolution in the Philippines 30 years ago, praised Bosworth for his role in the peaceful ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986. “We Philippinos…claim a share of [his] memory, for his advocacy of our freedom, for his support of Philippine democracy, and for his commitment to excellence in service.”

Bosworth’s work on the Korean Peninsula also drew praise. Belfer Center Director Graham Allison said, “No one knew more about—or contributed more meaningfully to—the Korean peninsula than Steve. None of us was surprised when President Obama appointed him the U.S. special envoy on North Korea in 2009.”

“Ambassadors come and go,” said Han Sung Joo, former South Korean foreign minister and ambassador to the United States, “but Steve Bosworth will stay in our minds and hearts.”

Lawrence Bacow, president emeritus of Tufts University, praised Bosworth as “very smart…and incredibly wise” in his work at dean of the Fletcher School as well as in government. Morton Abramowitz, senior fellow with the Century Foundation, added that he was “masterful about pulling together disparate views.”

Bosworth’s brother, Brian Bosworth, told how they grew up on a farm in Michigan where their parents encouraged discourse and debate. Steve left the state only once before departing for Dartmouth College, Brian said, and that was to Idaho where he was a 4H finalist in a cattle auctioneer competition. Even there, his brother said, Steve demonstrated his diplomatic skills by “praising the better cows without denigrating the lesser cows.”

At the Belfer Center, Bosworth was extremely well-liked and respected by colleagues and students. John Park, who co-taught a course with Bosworth on negotiating U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific, said, “Ambassador Bosworth was keen to teach a class that empowered students with portable skills for the classroom and beyond. His commitment to creating an environment where they could learn by doing—in the form of team-based negotiation simulations—inspired so many of them to take the first step in a career path that initially seemed just out of reach.”

“The man known for staring down dictators and cajoling repressive regimes was widely admired in our halls for his intellect, collegiality, and exceptional kindness,” said Allison. “He was our mentor, our friend, the people’s diplomat, a true patriot. We were fortunate to have him in our midst for the past three years as an active member of the Belfer family, and we will miss him deeply.”