Today, former Vice President Dick Cheney of Wyoming was honored at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Cheney passed on November 3, 2025, at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. His wife of 61 years, Lynn, and his two daughters, Liz and Mary, were by his side at his passing.
Many of my readers know from previous articles that I have long stepped away from partisan politics. After involvement in both major parties, I have been a registered Independent for more than 18 years. I seldom write about political figures, though I remain well versed in geopolitics. But in certain moments, public service deserves recognition — wherever one might fall on the political spectrum.
Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941. He attended Yale University, Casper College, and the University of Wyoming, where he received his B.A. in 1965 and M.A. in 1966. He continued graduate studies in political science at the University of Wisconsin before coming to Washington as a congressional fellow during the 1968–69 year. From there, he embarked on a long and distinguished career in national service. Cheney held numerous roles in government, including special assistant to the director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, White House staff assistant, and assistant director of the Cost-of-Living Council. He later became deputy assistant to President Gerald Ford and eventually Ford’s White House Chief of Staff.
In November 1978, Cheney was elected to the House of Representatives and served six consecutive terms. It was during this period that I first met the Honorable Dick Cheney. At the time, I was serving as Vice President and COO of HCU. After a magazine published a piece on a paper I had written about historical restoration and sustainable development — referencing the work we had done with the world-famous London Bridge Project — I was invited to Wyoming by the Executive Director of the Laramie Chamber of Commerce originally from Chicago and we shared instant camaraderie both being former college and professional athletes.
In Laramie, I met with the Chamber, the Historical Committee, and State Senator Dave Nichols, who introduced me to Congressman Cheney. Together, we worked on drafting legislation and lobbying the Wyoming legislature, the Governor, and the University of Wyoming regarding what remained of the Wyoming Territorial Prison. The facility, a relic of the old west, once housed Butch Cassidy — the very same outlaw immortalized by Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the classic film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. During that time, one of the history professors at the university knew Robert Redford who had a deep appreciation for historical preservation and I met him through his support of this restoration project it brought a lot of attention and public support. As I was told, Cheney used his connections in Washington to help secure support for a National Historical Registry designation. After countless rubber-chicken dinners and meetings with legislators, the state ultimately appropriated $500,000 for restoration and the university agreed to relinquish the property. The Historic Committee took over and raised the rest of the funds and today thousands of visitors from around Wyoming and passing along Interstate 80 stop and tour. It was, in many ways, a victory for preserving one of the last standing symbols of the great American West. While I never considered myself firmly pro or con regarding Cheney’s politics, I respected a man who recognized the value of preserving our shared history.
Following those years, Cheney continued to rise in national prominence, serving on the House Intelligence Committee and the House Intelligence Budget Subcommittee before becoming House Whip. Within a week of nomination, he was confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of Defense. Cheney understood how Washington worked, and he was instrumental in advancing key defense initiatives — including the B-2 bomber program that would later play a central role in the elimination of Iranian nuclear sites. He also oversaw the liberation of Kuwait during the Gulf War.
In October 1995, Cheney moved to the private sector, becoming president and chief executive officer of Halliburton in Dallas, Texas. He remained there until George W. Bush selected him as his running mate. Cheney was elected the 46th Vice President of the United States, serving two terms.
When his time in Washington concluded, Cheney returned home to Wyoming — to the land, the rivers, and the quiet life he always cherished. He spent much of his time fly fishing, enjoying the outdoors, and being with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Whether one agreed or disagreed with his politics, Dick Cheney devoted decades of his life to serving the United States. For that, I honor his service. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
