| David Funderburk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd district | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Tim Valentine |
| Succeeded by | Bob Etheridge |
| United States Ambassador to Romania | |
| In office October 2, 1981 – May 13, 1985 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | O. Rudolph Aggrey |
| Succeeded by | Roger Kirk |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Britton Funderburk (1944-04-28) April 28, 1944 (age 80) Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Betty Funderburk |
| Alma mater | Wake Forest University (BA, MA) University of South Carolina (PhD) |
David Britton Funderburk (born April 28, 1944) is an American politician and diplomat who served as the Ambassador of the United States to Romania from 1981 to 1985. He later served as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina for one term.
Early life and education
Funderburk was born at Langley Field in Hampton, Virginia as the son of a pastor and school teacher. He grew up in Aberdeen, North Carolina and attended Wake Forest University from 1962 to 1967, earning a B.A. and M.A. He received his Ph.D. in 1974 from the University of South Carolina, with a thesis titled "British policy towards Romania, 1938–1940: A Study in Economic and Political Strategy".
Career
Prior to entering politics, Funderburk worked as a professor of history. He initially taught at Wingate University and then later at the University of South Carolina, Hardin–Simmons University, and Campbell University. He was a Fulbright Scholar who later received Romania's highest award to a foreigner. The University of Bucharest and Campbell University gave him honorary doctorates.
Ambassador
In 1981, Funderburk was chosen as the U.S. Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Romania, and served until 1985. In Pinstripes and Reds, a book published in 1987, he described the process by which he was nominated and confirmed to be ambassador, as well as aspects of life in Romania during the administration of Nicolae Ceaușescu.
Senate campaign
In 1986, Funderburk ran for the U.S. Senate, but was defeated in the Republican primary by incumbent Jim Broyhill.
Congress
After the Senate race, Funderburk became a professional lecturer and writer. In 1994, he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives and was elected as a Republican to the 104th Congress, coming in as a part of what became known as the Republican Revolution. Funderburk was the first Republican to represent his district since 1901.
Funderburk was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the 105th Congress. His defeat was largely blamed on a car accident in which he was involved. Witnesses claimed that he was driving but then switched seats with his wife.
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Lobbyist
After leaving Congress, Funderburk joined the law firm Kirkpatrick and Lockhart, where he worked as a lobbyist.
Books
- If the Blind Lead the Blind: The Scandal Regarding the Mis-teachings of Communism in American Universities Erwin, N.C.: Carolina Arts and Publishing House, 1978.
- British Policy Toward Romania, 1938–1940 N.p., 1983.
- Pinstripes and Reds: An American Ambassador Caught Between the State Department & the Romanian Communists, 1981–1985 Washington, D.C.: Selous Foundation Press, 1987. ISBN 0-944273-01-7
References
- "The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training Foreign Affairs Oral History Project AMBASSADOR DAVID B. FUNDERBURK" (PDF). Association for Diplomatic Studies and training. 17 August 1989. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- "Star-News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved Mar 20, 2021.
- Grann, David (Sep 28, 1998). "The Selling of the Scandal". The New Republic. Retrieved Mar 20, 2021.
External links
- United States Congress. "David Funderburk (id: F000426)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Appearances on C-SPAN
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byO. Rudolph Aggrey | United States Ambassador to Romania October 13, 1981–May 13, 1985 |
Succeeded byRoger Kirk |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded byTim Valentine | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district January 3, 1995–January 3, 1997 |
Succeeded byBob Etheridge |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byBill Cobeyas Former US Representative | Order of precedence of the United States as Former US Representative |
Succeeded byMadison Cawthornas Former US Representative |
 United States ambassadors to Romania  | |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic Agent (1880–81) | |
| Chargé d'Affaires (1881–1882) | |
| Minister Resident (1882–1892) | |
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary (1892–1965) | |
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (1965–present) |
|
- 1944 births
- Living people
- Ambassadors of the United States to Romania
- Wake Forest University alumni
- University of South Carolina alumni
- Politicians from Hampton, Virginia
- Wingate University faculty
- University of South Carolina faculty
- Campbell University faculty
- Hardin–Simmons University faculty
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina
- Baptists from Virginia
- People from Southern Pines, North Carolina
- Baptists from North Carolina
- 20th-century American diplomats
- Members of Congress who became lobbyists
- Commanders of the Order of the Star of Romania
- 20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives