WITH the death of Neil H. McElroy, the United States has lost an outstanding citizen, the American people have lost a dedicated public servant, and I have lost a valued friend and associate.
Neil McElroy served his country in many ways. He was a highly successful executive, an active civic and community leader, a strong and resourceful Secretary of Defense in the Eisenhower Administration, and--most recently--a very effective chairman for the President's Commission on School Finance.
To all of his undertakings, he brought the gifts of high character and keen intelligence. Mrs. Nixon and I are deeply grateful for his life and deeply saddened by his death. We extend our profound sympathy to the members of his family.
Note: Mr. McElroy, 68, died of cancer at Holmes Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 30, 1972. He joined The Procter & Gamble Company in 1925 and served as chairman of the board 1959-71, and as chairman of the executive committee of the board 1971-72. He was Secretary of Defense 1957-59, and Chairman of the President's Commission on School Finance 1970-72.
The statement was released at Key Biscayne, Fla.
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Elliot L. Richardson represented the President at funeral services in Cincinnati on December 3, and delivered a letter from the President to the McElroy family.
Richard Nixon, Statement About the Death of Neil H. McElroy Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/255015