Robert Mosbacher
Robert Mosbacher Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Adam Mosbacher Sr. 11 March 1927 Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. |
| Died | 24 January 2010 (aged 82) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, yachtsman, politician |
| Known for | U.S. Secretary of Commerce (1989–1992), competitive sailing |
Robert Adam Mosbacher Sr. (March 11, 1927 – January 24, 2010) was a prominent American entrepreneur, skilled yacht competitor, and Republican political figure. A close associate of George H. W. Bush for many years, Mosbacher held the position of Secretary of Commerce from 1989 until 1992.
Early life
Mosbacher was born in Mount Vernon, New York, to Gertrude (née Schwartz) and Emil Mosbacher. His family background included German Jewish immigrants as grandparents. He had two siblings: a sister named Barbara and a brother, Emil Mosbacher Jr., who was a distinguished yachtsman with two America's Cup victories and also served as Presidential Chief of Protocol. After completing his education at The Choate School, Mosbacher relocated to Texas where he worked as a wildcatter and developed a friendship with the future president George H. W. Bush.
Sailing career
Affiliated with the Knickerbocker Yacht Club, Mosbacher captained teams that secured victories in the Scoville Cup and the Midget Yacht championship for racers under fifteen in 1940. He claimed titles including the Southern Ocean Racing Conference championship and the Mallory Cup in 1958. Alongside his brother Bus Mosbacher, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated on May 18, 1959, recognized as a top competitor in class-boat sailing.
In the Dragon class World Championships held in Toronto in 1967, he earned a silver medal and followed that by winning gold in the same category at Palma de Mallorca in 1969 by a margin of one point—becoming one of only two Americans to achieve this feat. In 1971, he captured gold at the Soling class World Championships in Oyster Bay, New York, sailing aboard "Adlez." During the 1972 Olympic Trials, he narrowly missed qualifying after losing to Buddy Melges, who went on to win Olympic gold in Soling.
Mosbacher also attained a bronze medal in the 5.5 metre class at the 1985 World Championships held in Newport Beach and triumphed in winning the Scandinavian Gold Cup for 5.5 metre yachts in 1988. Renowned for his relentless competitiveness, he was often described as unwilling to accept anything less than first place.
A memorable moment occurred during the 1960 Mallory Cup semi-final match race against Ted Turner, where Mosbacher emerged victorious after an intense windward leg that involved fifty-two tacks, finishing ahead by five seconds.
Political career
Mosbacher acted as finance chairman for Gerald Ford’s 1976 presidential campaign but lost his delegate contest at the 1976 Republican National Convention to a group backing Ronald Reagan. In his bid for Texas's 7th congressional district seat, he was defeated by State Senator Walter Mengden, receiving 26,344 votes against Mengden’s 39,276.
In 1970, Mosbacher spearheaded fundraising efforts for George H. W. Bush’s Senate campaign opposing Lloyd M. Bentsen and later supported Bush’s presidential campaigns in both 1980 and 1988. He took on the role of general chairman for Bush’s re-election campaign in 1992.
While serving as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Mosbacher was the primary Cabinet official championing the development of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), promoting what would become one of the largest integrated markets worldwide. NAFTA was enacted into law during President Bill Clinton’s administration in December 1993 and came into force on January 1, 1994.
His public service also included participation on President Reagan’s Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives from 1981 to 1983, vice chairmanship of the board of trustees at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, leadership of Bush’s 1988 presidential campaign before his appointment as Secretary of Commerce in 1989, membership on the board of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and serving as general chairman for John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008.
Business involvements
Mosbacher was a founding member and former chairman of the All American Wildcatters Association. He also served on both the board of directors and the executive committee of the American Petroleum Institute. His leadership roles extended to directorships at Texas Commerce Bank and New York Life Insurance Company. Additionally, he held the position of president within the American Association of Petroleum Landmen and chaired the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association.
In 1989, the University of Houston awarded him an honorary doctorate. He was honored as trustee emeritus of the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies and acted as president of Odyssey Academy, a public charter school located in Galveston, Texas.
Mosbacher Institute
The Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy was founded in October 2009 to commemorate Mosbacher’s legacy, following a request by President George H.W. Bush.
Family and personal background
Mosbacher's brother, Emil "Bus" Mosbacher Jr., gained recognition as a distinguished yachtsman who successfully defended the America’s Cup in both 1962 and 1967.
Mosbacher entered into marriage four times:
- In 1946, he wed Jane Pennybacker, adopting her Presbyterian faith from his original Jewish background. Together they had four children: Diane "Dee" Mosbacher, Robert Mosbacher Jr., Kathryn Mosbacher, and Lisa Mosbacher Mears. Jane passed away from leukemia in 1970.
- His subsequent marriage to Sandra Smith Gerry concluded with a divorce in 1982.
- In 1985, he married Georgette Paulsin; their marriage ended in divorce in 1998.
- His last marriage was to Michele "Mica" Mosbacher (née Mica McCutchen Duncan), which lasted until his passing.
His eldest daughter Diane is a psychiatrist and an advocate for lesbian rights; notably, in 1992, Robert Sr. became the first Republican Campaign Chair to engage with leaders from the National Lesbian Gay Task Force. His son Robert Jr. is known as a businessman and former Republican political figure.
Passing
Mosbacher died on January 24, 2010, at age 82 due to pancreatic cancer at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. He was laid to rest at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.