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36 centralight winter '10 36 Alumni News centralight spring '15 CMU lost a dear friend, and the country lost a great man and true statesman. Distinguished CMU alumnus and former U.S. Sen. Robert Griffin passed away on April 16 in Traverse City. He was 91. Griffin served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for 22 years and on the Michigan Supreme Court for eight years. Griffin was born in Detroit to a blue-collar family. He graduated from Dearborn's Fordson High School and became the first person in his family to attend college. He began his studies at CMU in 1941, but his education was interrupted in 1943 by World War II. He earned two battle stars while serving with the 71st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in the European Theater. He returned to CMU in 1946, served as senior class president in 1947 and graduated in '47 with a bachelor of science degree. Griffin earned his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1950 and later was awarded 11 honorary degrees, including a doctor of law degree from CMU. "When I think of Bob Griffin, words come to mind like gentleness, kindness, compassion, integrity, intelligence, dedication, leadership, modesty and courage," CMU President George E. Ross said in a statement. "He and Marjorie embody all that is CMU. By living a life as a public servant, Bob's presence will not disappear with him. He has made an indelible impression on CMU and the world." Marjorie and the late Sen. Robert P. Griffin distinguished alum, dies at 91 In 1999, the Griffin Endowed Chair was established to "make CMU a leader in advancing the involvement of young people in American government." In addition to his government service, Sen. Griffin gave a great deal of time to his alma mater. He served on the Clarke Historical Library Board of Governors (2003-07) and served as the national chair for the CMU annual fund (1983-84). He is survived by Marjorie, his wife of 67 years, four children, 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. • Sen. Robert P. Griffin, Dedication of the Griffin Endowed Chair, spring 2000 Former U.S. President Gerald Ford dedicating the Griffin Endowed Chair centralight summer '15 Ranny Riecker, former Republican National Committeewoman and a member for 18 years of the CMU Board of Trustees, launched the effort to establish the Griffin Endowed Chair in honor of her friend Sen. Robert P. Griffin.