David Edward Albright

David Edward Albright, 73, of Bloomington, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 17. He was born on October 14, 1936 in Amo, Indiana, the son of David Albright and Georgia Pauline (Doty) Albright. He grew up in Colfax, Indiana. David graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in journalism in 1958 and a master’s degree in journalism in 1959. He was editor of the Indiana Daily Student during his journalism studies at IU. He then received another master’s degree and his Ph.D. from Columbia University in international relations. David served in the Army at the start of the Vietnam War, working in the intelligence service. When he returned to New York, he worked several years for the Council on Foreign Relations. In 1971 he became an editor for the journal Problems of Communism, which was published by the United States Information Agency in Washington, D.C. In 1982 David and his wife Ruth moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where he was a professor of national security at the Air War College, the Air Force’s school for colonels and lieutenant colonels. In 1994, he and Ruth returned to their “roots” in Bloomington, Indiana, a move that brought a great deal of joy and fulfillment into their lives. David worked as a senior research associate for the Center for the Study of Global Change. He frequently taught courses on international security in the 21st century and was very active in bringing in notable outside authorities to enrich students’ lives at Indiana University. He was very involved in volunteer activities in the Bloomington area. He just stepped down in May as president of the Theatre Circle. He was a past president of the National Society of Arts and Letters on the local level and the chair of the six-year planning and competition committee on the national level. He was a member of Bloomington Worldwide Friendship and enjoyed his many interactions with international students at IU. He was a member of the Bloomington Rotary Club. David is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Ruth (Padget) Albright; two brothers, Terrill D. Albright of Indianapolis and Michael Albright and his wife Jan of Birmingham, Michigan. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews: Rob Albright and his wife Maggie of Indianapolis and their three sons, Ben, Jack and Daniel; Betsy Albright of Chicago; Christina Albright Connell and her husband Steve of Milford, Michigan, and their three children, Lucas, Toria and Maizie; and Craig Albright and his wife Mary Beth of Washington, D.C. and their son Truman. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the IU Theatre Circle through the IU Foundation, P.O. Box 2298, Bloomington, IN 47402-2298 or to the National Society of Arts and Letters, P.O. Box 7105, Bloomington, Indiana 47407. A celebration of David’s life is planned for mid-September. Details will be announced at a later date.