Black Community Opinions

Ambassador Bismarck Myrick, Portsmouth Native & World Citizen, Passes

Ambassador Bismarck Myrick, a Portsmouth native and retired U.S. diplomat, passed on September 29, 2024. His distinguished career spanned military service, ambassadorships in Africa, and teaching at Old Dominion University.
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HAMPTON ROADS

Retired U.S. Ambassador Bismarck Myrick Sr., a proud native of Portsmouth, Virginia, transitioned peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2024, surrounded by his wife, Marie-Pierre Mbaye Myrick and three children, Bismarck Myrick, Jr., Wesley Todd Myrick, and Allison Elizabeth Sanders.

Ambassador Myrick’s monumental career included service in the U.S. Army with stations in Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Germany and Ethiopia. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he joined the U.S. Foreign Service, where he was, nominated by U.S. Presidents, to serve as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho in 1995 and the Republic of Liberia in 1999. He also led the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Durban, South Africa. When he retired from the foreign service, Ambassador Myrick taught at Old Dominion University for over twenty-two years.

Ambassador Myrick was an alumnus of I.C. Norcom, school of champions, class of 1959. Ambassador Myrick loved people, inspiring us with his running, spending time with his friends and family, and hosting events such as his annual Thanksgiving celebrations in Portsmouth.

All people die, but not all people live. Bismarck Myrick truly lived! His joy, generosity, curiosity, and love ripple across oceans, touching many across continents who knew and loved him.

The Third Baptist Church, 461 Goodwin Street Portsmouth, Virginia 23704, will host the services on Saturday, October 12, 2024. The viewing will be at 10 a.m. with a funeral beginning at 11 a.m. Interment arrangements at Arlington National Cemetery will follow on a date to be determined.