Donald Oberdorfer ’52

Don died July 23, 2015, in Washington, D.C., from Alzheimer’s disease.

He prepared at Druid Hills High School in Atlanta and came to Princeton determined to become a journalist. Don majored in the Woodrow Wilson School and was chairman of The Daily Princetonian. He served in Korea following graduation.

When he retired from The Washington Post after working there from 1968 to 1993, he was virtually the dean of diplomatic journalists in Washington, widely respected by peers for his integrity and decency and for the depth and thoroughness of his reporting. These characteristics won confidence and gave him access at the highest levels to those who made history in our generation.

Fascinated by the dynamics of great turning points in history, Don published books on the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War and on the historic evolution of events in the Soviet Union that led to its dissolution. His magnum opus tackled the relationship between the two Koreas. He also wrote a biography of ex-Sen. Mike Mansfield and Princeton University: The First 250 Years. After leaving the Post, he joined the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies as its journalist in residence and a professor of international relations.

We extend our warmest condolences to Don’s wife, Laura; and children, Daniel and Karen Sue.