Eisenhower speechwriter dies
May 27, 2020
Bob Kieve learned to contend with the president's quirky but strong linguistic preferences.
Former President Eisenhower speechwriter Bob Kieve died on Sunday, at 98. He served in Eisenhowerโs first term before going on to a colorful career as an independent radio station owner in San Jose.
At a Rotary Club lecture a few years back, Kieve told a story about Eisenhowerโs quirky but strong linguistic preferences:
โOn one occasion Bob got a call from Ann Whitman, Eisenhowerโs secretary, asking him to please stop using โappreciation forโ since Eisenhower always changed it to โappreciation ofโ and Ann would have to retype the whole note. Bob felt appreciation forโ was correct and told this to Ann. Ann called back shortly and said Eisenhower had an opening at 2:00 that afternoon if Bob would like to explain to the President why his wording was incorrect. Bob got the point and used โappreciation ofโ from that point forward.โ