David Funderburk

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David Funderburk

David B. Funderburk (born April 28, 1944) was the ambassador of the United States to Romania from 1981 to 1985, and a U.S. Representative from North Carolina, serving as a Republican between 1995 and 1997.

Funderburk was born in Langley Field, Virginia as the son of a soldier. He grew up in Aberdeen, Maryland and attended Wake Forest University from 1962 to 1967 earning a B.A. and M.A.. He received his Ph.D. in 1974 from the University of South Carolina, with a thesis titled "British policy towards Romania, 1938-1940: a study in economic and political strategy".

Prior to entering politics, Funderburk worked as a professor of history. He initially taught at Wingate University and then later at the University of South Carolina, Hardin-Simmons University, and Campbell University.

In 1981, Funderburk was chosen as the U.S. Ambassador to Communist Romania, serving at the post until 1985. In "Pinstripes and Reds", a book published in 1987, he described the process by which he was nominated and confirmed to be ambassador, as well as aspects of life in Romania during Nicolae Ceauşescu's time.

He became a professional lecturer and writer in 1988 and was elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Fourth Congress in 1994, coming in as a part of the Republican Revolution. Funderburk was the first Republican to represent his district since 1901.

Funderburk was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Fifth Congress. His defeat was largely blamed on a car accident in which he was involved, which caused bad publicity. Witnesses claimed that he was driving but then switched seats with his wife and had her take the blame. His unwillingness to take responsibility didn't sit well with voters.

[edit] Book

David B. Funderburk, "Pinstripes and Reds: An American Ambassador Caught Between the State Department and the Romanian Communists, 1981-1985", Selous Foundation Press, Washington, D.C., 1987. ISBN 0944273017