Edward Derwinski dies of cancer at 85

CHICAGO – Edward Derwinski, who represented Chicago’s south side and adjoining suburbs in Congress for nearly a quarter-century before becoming the nation’s first secretary of veterans affairs, has died. He was 85.

Derwinski died Sunday of cancer, his family said. He will be buried this weekend at Arlington National Cemetery.

Derwinski’s congressional career began in 1959 after he had served a single term in the Illinois House, and those who knew him say he knew his district inside and out and was liked by his fellow Republicans and Democrats alike.

Derwinski held his U.S. House seat until losing a primary race in 1982 after the boundaries of his district were redrawn.

He then spent six years at the State Department, rising to the post of undersecretary for national security affairs, before President George H.W. Bush picked him in 1989 to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, which had just been elevated to the Cabinet. His three-year tenure proved rocky.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, for instance, passed a resolution calling for his resignation. The group’s commander accused Derwinski of displaying “contempt” for veterans. He was also booed by members of the American Legion at an event.

The issues that triggered their anger included proposals to admit poor nonveterans to two underused VA hospitals and to eliminate smoking at the hospitals.

Derwinski was among the troops who occupied Japan at the end of World War II, and after returning to civilian life he took over the family’s savings and loan, helping it grow dramatically. He served on the board of an Oak Park bank until his death.

Derwinski is also survived by his wife, Bonnie; son, Michael; daughter, Maureen Quattrocki; stepdaughter, Maggie Hickey; stepson, Kevin Hickey; sister, Bernadette Ferrara; and seven grandchildren.