Burton Sapin *53

Burt died Dec. 13, 2020, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., at age 93. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., he was a longtime Washington, D.C., resident.

After graduating from Columbia in 1945, Burt served in the Navy. In 1953 he earned a Ph.D. in politics from Princeton. A political scientist in the field of international relations, he served in the State Department during the Kennedy administration, but spent most of his career in academia.

Burt is widely credited with initiating the field of US foreign-policy studies. At George Washington University he was dean of the School of Public and International Affairs, now the Elliott School of International Affairs. Although his scholarship revolved primarily around US foreign policy, he had a longstanding interest in Japan and a love of Japanese culture.

In his later years his attention turned to family, friendship, good food, and music. He stayed true to his Giants in both baseball and football, and recently became a Miami Heat fan. Burt unswervingly focused on the issue at hand and calmly provided rational advice when asked.

Burt is survived by his wife, Barbara Bennett; his daughter, Julia; his son, David; and five grandchildren.

Graduate alumni memorials are prepared by the APGA.