Remembering Dick Thornburgh, Former U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Attorney, Colleague, and Friend, co-hosted with The National Association of Former U.S. Attorneys

This flag presentation celebrates the legacy of former U.S. Attorney and Attorney General, Dick Thornburgh, who passed away December 31 at age 88, and the inspiration of his career in public service.

Dick is honored and remembered in a virtual tribute by his former Department of Justice colleagues:

• Mike McKay, K&L Gates, Seattle (U.S. Attorney, Seattle, WDWA, 1989-93)
• Rich Rossman, Executive Director, NAFUSA (U.S. Attorney, Detroit, EDMI, 1980-81)
• Karen Hewitt, President, NAFUSA (U.S. Attorney, San Diego, SDCA, 2007-10)
• Paul Coggins, Immediate Past President, NAFUSA (U.S. Attorney, Dallas, NDTX, 1993-2001)
• Acceptance remarks by John Thornburgh, on behalf of the Thornburgh family

Dick Thornburgh was born on July 16, 1932 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Yale University in 1954 and earned his LL.B degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1957. Mr. Thornburgh also holds honorary degrees from 31 colleges and universities.

Following law school, Mr. Thornburgh worked in private industry until 1959 when he joined the Pittsburgh law firm then known as Kirkpatrick, Pomeroy, Lockhart & Johnson. In 1967, he was elected as a delegate to the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention. From 1969 to 1975, Mr. Thornburgh was the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and was appointed Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division in 1975, serving two years in Washington, D.C. in that role before returning to private practice as a partner at Kirkpatrick, Lockhart, Johnson & Hutchison. Pennsylvania elected Mr. Thornburgh governor in 1979 and he served two terms. Mr. Thornburgh also taught courses at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and directed that school’s Institute of Politics from 1987 to 1988.

Appointed by President Reagan, Dick Thornburgh was sworn in as Attorney General on August 12, 1988. President George H.W. Bush reinstated him as Attorney General in 1989 and he served until 1991. In 1992, the American Legion honored Mr. Thornburgh with its highest award, the “Distinguished Services Medal.” He published his autobiography in 2003 entitled, Where the Evidence Leads: The Autobiography of Dick Thornburgh.

Please click here for the K&L Gates statement in honor of Dick