Mel Sembler Obituary – Cause of Death: Florida developer and top Republican fundraiser, Mel Sembler dies at 93.
Melvin Floyd Sembler, an American former diplomat passed away at the age of 93 on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
Sembler was the United States Ambassador to Italy (2001–2005), and Ambassador to Australia and Nauru (1989–1993). He has also served as chairman of the board of the Sembler Company, which develops and manages shopping centers, and co-founder of Straight, Inc., a controversial drug-treatment center. Sembler is the chairman of the Scooter Libby Legal Defense Trust, and was a co-chair of the Florida Finance Committee for Mitt Romney.
Sembler was born on May 10, 1930, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in 1952. He and his wife Betty (née Schlesinger) were married in 1953. They had three sons, Steve, Brent, and Greg plus eleven grandchildren. Betty died on February 16, 2022.
“Drug Free America Foundation’s co-founder and past chairman Ambassador Mel Sembler passed away today, joining his wife Betty in Paradise. Together with Betty, Ambassador Sembler was a trailblazer in advocating for drug treatment and prevention,” Drug Free America Foundation wrote in a social media post.
“Through their tireless efforts, Mel and Betty Sembler saved thousands of lives and changed the trajectory of countless families for generations to come. The world is a better place because of Mel and Betty Sembler.”
Feel free to drop condolences messages and prayers for the family and friends of the deceased as it will go a very long way at this difficult time.