Don Riegle

Donald W. Riegle, who represented Michigan in Congress for nearly three decades and switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democratic during the Nixon presidency, died in April 2026 at his home in San Diego. Was been a director of the Company since 2001 and a director of Anthem Insurance from 1999 to May 2003. In April 2001, he joined APCO Worldwide (communications consulting) as Chairman of APCO Government Affairs. From 1995 to 2001, he was Deputy Chairman of Shandwick International (global communications). He served in the U.S. Senate from 1976 through 1994 and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1967 through 1975. Senator Riegle is a director of Stillwater Mining Company (mining company) and Rx Optical (eye care and visual products). A Representative and a Senator from Michigan; born in Flint, Genesee County, Mich., February 4, 1938; attended public schools of Flint, Mich.; attended Flint Junior College and Western University; graduated, University of Michigan 1960; received a graduate degree from Michigan State University 1961; pursued graduate studies at Harvard Business School; businessman; faculty member, Michigan State University, Boston University, and Harvard University; elected as a Republican to the Ninetieth Congress in 1966; reelected to the three succeeding Congresses; changed party affiliation to Democrat in 1973; reelected as a Democrat to the Ninety-fourth Congress and served from January 3, 1967, until his resignation December 30, 1976; was not a candidate for reelection to the House of Representatives, but was elected in 1976 to the United States Senate for the term commencing January 3, 1977; subsequently appointed by the Governor, December 30, 1976, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Philip A. Hart for the term ending January 3, 1977; reelected in 1982 and 1988 and served from December 30, 1976, to January 3, 1995; was not a candidate for reelection in 1994; chairman, Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs (One Hundred First through One Hundred Third Congresses); joined Shandwick Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., serving as executive committee chair 1995; adjunct professor, Michigan State University School of Business, 1995; is a resident of Washington, D.C. Riegle’s marriages to Nancy Brandt and Meredith Ann White ended in divorce. In 1978, he married Lori Hansen, a Senate staff member. She survives him, along with three children from his first marriage, Donald W. Riegle III, Caethe Riegle Richardson and Laurie Riegle Dodge; two children from his third marriage, Ashley and Allison Riegle; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. After retiring from politics, Mr. Riegle worked as a corporate lobbyist in Washington.