Stone, Richard, 1928-2019

<p>Richard Bernard Stone (September 22, 1928 – July 28, 2019) was an American politician who served as a Democratic United States Senator from Florida from 1975 to 1980 and later served as Ambassador at Large to Central America and Ambassador to Denmark.</p>

<p>Stone was born in New York City, the son of Lily (Abbey) and Alfred Stone, who was born in Belgium. His family was Jewish. He moved to Florida and attended public schools in Dade County. Stone graduated cum laude with a B.A. from Harvard University in 1949 and received a LL.B. from Columbia Law School in 1954. He returned to Florida and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1955, practicing in Miami.</p>

<p>In 1966, Stone became Miami City Attorney and was elected to the Florida Senate in 1967, representing Dade County. In 1970, he was elected Secretary of State of Florida. He resigned in July 1974, before his term ended, to focus on his campaign for the U.S. Senate.</p>

STONE, Richard Bernard, a Senator from Florida; born in New York City, September 22, 1928; attended Dade County, Fla., public schools; graduated from Harvard University 1949 and from Columbia University Law School 1954; admitted to the Florida bar in 1955 and commenced practice in Miami; city attorney of Miami 1966; member, State senate 1967-1970; Florida secretary of State 1970-1974; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1974, for the six-year term commencing January 3, 1975; subsequently appointed by the Governor, January 1, 1975, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Edward Gurney for the term ending January 3, 1975; served from January 1, 1975, until his resignation December 31, 1980; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1980; Ambassador at Large and Special Envoy to Central America 1983-1984; U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark 1992-1993; attorney and banker; died in Rockville, Md., on July 28, 2019; interment in King David Memorial Gardens, Falls Church, Va.