Secretary Blinken says father inspired me to public service

My family lost a parent and grandparent, a source of love and inspiration - my father, Donald Blinken, wrote. A member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, a U.S. ambassador, president of the Mark Rothko Foundation, chairman of the board of the State University of New York, dad served his city, state and country, Blinken said. A State Department official said that Donald Blinken died peacefully at his home in East Hampton, Long Island. Blinken wrote that Dad inspired me to public service. He lived with dignity, decency and modesty. He loved his wife Vera and his family. He built a wonderful life and gave me a wonderful life. A State Department official said Antony Blinken canceled several events he was to attend at the UN General Assembly on Thursday due to his father's deteriorating medical condition and his schedule on Friday will be adjusted to account for family commitments. From 1978 to 1990, Donald Blinken served as the chairman of the State University of New York system and was a U.S. citizen. She was ambassador to Hungary during the Clinton administration from 1994 to 1997.