ESSEX, Conn: Chester Bliss Bowles, who helped found one of Madison Avenues most famous advertising agencies and went on to become a governor, congress man and ambassador for four presidents, has died. He was 85.
A family spokesman said Bowles, who fought a more than 20 year battle with Parkinson’s disease, died Sunday at his home.
Bowles began a 29-year career in government service when President Franklin Roosevelt picked him to lead the Office of Price Administration during World War II.
He was elected to single terms as governor of Connecticut and congressman from the state and served as ambassador to India during the Turman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
He also served as a foreign policy advisor and undersecretary of state to President John F. Kennedy.
Bowles was Kennedy’s chief adviser on foreign policy before Dean Rusk was named secretary of state. While serving as undersecretary of state, Bowles was privately critical of the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba and also opposed the American presence in Vietnam.
His disagreements led to his removal from the No. 2 State Department post and Galbraith said later Bowles leaving was the last of liberal influence on foreign policy in the Kennedy administration. He holds a very special place in the hearts of Connecticut citizens whom he served so ably as governor and congressman,” said Gov. William O ‘Neill, who ordered that all state flags fly a half-staff for 30 days in Bowless honor.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 30, 1986
