In Memoriam: Eugene M. Grant

The Center for Security Policy mourns the passing yesterday of a dear friend and valued founding member of its Board of Regents: Eugene Grant. Thus ends a century of extraordinary accomplishments, exploits all over the world, distinguished military service, outstanding entrepreneurial success, generous philanthropy and patriotic public service that were the hallmarks of this formidable man.

Everyone whose lives Gene touched will cherish the memory of this man, unfailingly dapper, with a spring in his step, a twinkle in his eye and a thoughtful – and often witty – observation on his lips.

Singularly impressive was the caliber of Gene’s mind right up to his last days. His formidable intellect, wide-ranging interests and boundless enthusiasm were a joy to behold, and an inspiration to the rest of us lesser mortals.

We at the Center were privileged to interact often with Mr. Grant in the final fifth of his storied life. Through his frequent participation in our monthly Regents meetings, he engaged with the speakers and other members and guests with acumen and passion, always enriching the conversation and inspiring similar enthusiasm among others.

In 2007, Eugene Grant movingly accepted the Center for Security Policy’s “Sacred Honor” Award as an expression of our appreciation of his dedicated support that so greatly enabled this organization to pursue its mission of promoting peace through strength.

Another, particularly memorable event was the occasion of a private luncheon with Gene and one of his remarkable contemporaries and peers, fellow Board of Regents member Bruce Gelb. The two men fell into an extraordinary conversation in which they reminisced and compared notes about similarities between a formative era in their lives – the period leading up to World War II – and our own times. They shared as well their respective experiences fighting in that conflict, concurring in Winston Churchill’s characterization of it as an “avoidable” one. The opportunity to observe the interaction between these men, who were not merely witnesses to history, but who had a hand in shaping it, was simply unforgettable.

With the deeply regrettable departure of Eugene Grant to a far, far better place, President John F. Kennedy’s famous declaration comes to mind: “The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans.” We are gratified to have been tutored in the importance of keeping that flame of freedom by a man who did so much in his long life to protect and carry it forward. And steeled by his abiding influence, we are resolved to do the same.