Russell A. Rourke
| Russell A. Rourke | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 15th Secretary of the Air Force | |
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In office December 1, 1985 – April 7, 1986 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Verne Orr |
| Succeeded by | Edward C. Aldridge Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 30, 1931 New York City, USA |
| Died | January 19, 2003 (aged 71) Annapolis, Maryland, USA |
| Political party | Republican |
Russell A. Rourke (December 30, 1931 – January 19, 2003) was a lawyer and public official. He served in key staff positions on Capital Hill and in senior executive positions within the Federal Government. President Ronald Reagan appointed him to serve as the fifteenth Secretary of the Air Force.
Born in New York City, Rourke attended the University of Maryland, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in 1953. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served in Korea, completing his active duty service as a first lieutenant. However, Rourke remained in the Marine Corps Reserve, eventually commanding the Marine Air Control Squadron 24 at Quantico, Virginia. He retired in 1985 as a colonel after 32 years of service. His Marine decorations include the Legion of Merit.
After being released from active duty in the Marine Corps, Rourke attended law school at Georgetown University Law Center earning a bachelor of laws degree in 1959. He then worked briefly in the Washington, D.C. law firm of Keogh, Carey and Costello as an associate attorney before beginning his public service career in 1960.
Rourke began his civilian government service as administrative assistant to Republican Congressman John R. Pillion of New York. In 1965, he became administrative assistant to Congressman Henry P. Smith III another New York Republican. When Congressman Smith retired in 1974, Rourke ran as a Republican-Conservative candidate for Congress in 36th district of New York. Although the district had been held by Republicans for the previous 62 years, Rourke had not lived in the district for many years and the Watergate scandal was an issue that worked against Republican candidates in the election. As a result, he was defeated by a three-to-two margin.
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