Harlan Cleveland has passed away at the age of 90. Cleveland died on 30 May near his home in Sterling, Virgina.

Cleveland was the elected president of the University of Hawaii in 1969. For the five years of his service at this university, Cleveland managed to expand its two year medical program into four and to lobby legislators to finance its new law school.

The New York Times reports that Cleveland was also the American ambassador to NATO who pressed for nuclear arms control.

While at NATO, Mr. Cleveland also pressed for a halt to nuclear proliferation. He envisioned “a world structure,” he said, in which nonnuclear nations “will have assurances that existing nuclear powers will come to their rescue.” He also advocated expanding peace-keeping duties for the United Nations.

According to UH News, at the University of Hawaii, Cleveland was also appointed the first Manoa chancellor, and higher education activities on the Big Island were pulled together under a chancellor at UH Hilo.

He served as a United Nations relief and rehabilitation administrator in Italy and China, after which he joined the Economic Cooperation Administration where he served as director of the China Aid Program, then developed and managed U.S. aid to East Asia. He later became the Washington-based supervisor of the Marshall Plan for European recovery.

We regret the loss of such a great diplomat, politician and academic. Cleveland is survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Lois Burton, a sister, Anne White, a son, Alan, another daughter, Zoe Cleveland, and a grandchild. May his soul rest in peace.

Photo: © drdrewhonolulu