Sandy D'Alemberte wore many hats during his life. The 85-year-old was an attorney, legal scholar, politician, university president and head of the American Bar Association.
Florida State University President John Thrasher confirmed D'Alemberte died Monday. D'Alemberte served as FSU President between 1994 and 2003. He headed the American Bar Association between 1991-1992 and was considered one of the foremost scholars on Florida's Constitution. Up until his passing Monday afternoon, D'Alemberte was still practicing law, and had cases pending before the Florida Supreme Court.
“I’ve known Sandy for more than 40 years. He’s been a friend, a mentor and an inspiration to me. He was a person of great integrity with an abiding sense of social justice who made a difference in people’s lives here and around the world through his defense of the First Amendment and advocacy of human rights," said FSU President John Thrasher.
"He loved Florida State University and left a lasting legacy through his dedication to academic excellence and research, diversity, campus beautification and historic preservation, and support for the arts and culture. I will miss him dearly.”
D'Alemberte was a Tallahassee native. He represented Dade County in the Florida House of Representatives from 1966 to 1972 and chaired several legislative committees. Following his legislative career, he chaired on the state's first Constitution Revision Commission during 1977-1978, and the Florida Commission on Ethics in 1974-1975.
