Richard Lyng

Richard Lyng

Richard Edmund Lyng was an American businessman and government official. He served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture between 1986 and 1989, during the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

Early Life and Education

Richard Lyng was born on June 29, 1918, in San Francisco, California. He attended the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1940.

Career

After graduation, Lyng joined his family's business, Ed J. Lyng Company, a food product distribution firm. He served as the company's president from 1949 to 1967.

In 1967, Lyng was appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan as the Director of the California Department of Agriculture, a position he held until 1969. He then served as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Consumer Services from 1969 to 1973, and as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture from 1973 to 1976.

In 1981, Lyng was appointed by President Reagan as the Under Secretary of Agriculture. In 1986, he was promoted to the position of United States Secretary of Agriculture, a role he held until the end of Reagan's presidency in 1989.

Later Life and Death

After leaving public service, Lyng worked as a consultant in the private sector. He passed away on February 1, 2003, in Modesto, California.

Legacy

Lyng's tenure as Secretary of Agriculture was marked by his efforts to reduce federal farm subsidies. His policies were often controversial, but they played a significant role in shaping the modern American agricultural industry.

See Also

• United States Department of Agriculture
• Reagan Administration

References

• Richard E. Lyng - The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
• Richard E. Lyng - U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Richard E. Lyng - The New York Times Obituary

External Links

• Richard E. Lyng - The Washington Post Obituary
• Richard E. Lyng - The Los Angeles Times Obituary