• Harvey M. “Bud” Meyerhoff (1927–2023)

    Harvey M. “Bud” Meyerhoff (1927–2023)

    The Museum deeply mourns the passing of Harvey M. “Bud” Meyerhoff, whose singular leadership led the multiyear effort to create the Museum. In the face of significant skepticism and numerous challenges, his rare combination of determination, dedication, and generosity were all exceptional. He was a man of principle, strong values, and humility.

  • Judge Thomas Buergenthal (1934–2023)

    Judge Thomas Buergenthal (1934–2023)

    The Museum deeply mourns the passing of Judge Thomas Buergenthal, Holocaust survivor, renowned international jurist and human rights champion, Museum Council member, founder of the Museum’s genocide prevention program, and laureate of the Museum’s highest honor, the Elie Wiesel Award.

  • Benjamin Ferencz (1920–2023)

    Benjamin Ferencz (1920–2023)

    The Museum deeply mourns the passing of Benjamin Ferencz, Nuremberg prosecutor and advocate for victims of the Holocaust, pioneer in the field of international criminal justice, and laureate of the Museum’s highest honor, the Elie Wiesel Award.

  • Elie Wiesel (1928–2016)

    Elie Wiesel (1928–2016)

    The Museum deeply mourns the passing of Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor, Nobel laureate, and international leader of the Holocaust remembrance movement.

  • Władysław Bartoszewski (1922–2015)

    Władysław Bartoszewski (1922–2015)

    The Museum mourns the passing of ​our longtime friend and partner Władysław Bartoszewski. 

  • Dr. Ruta Sakowska (1922–2011)

    Dr. Ruta Sakowska (1922–2011)

    With great sadness we note the passing on August 22, 2011, of Dr. Ruta Sakowska, a senior historian at the Warsaw Jewish Historical Institute.

  • Stephen Tyrone Johns (1969–2009)

    Stephen Tyrone Johns (1969–2009)

    The Museum will never forget Officer Johns, who died heroically in the line of duty on June 10, 2009, stopping a brutal attacker, avowed racist, and antisemite.

  • Lore Ross (1920–2009)

    Lore Ross (1920–2009)

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum mourns the passing of Lore Ross.

  • Dr. Alison Des Forges (1942–2009)

    Dr. Alison Des Forges (1942–2009)

    It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Dr. Alison Des Forges, who was killed in the plane crash in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday, February 12, 2009.

  • Harriet McBryde Johnson (1957–2008)

    Harriet McBryde Johnson (1957–2008)

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum mourns the passing of author, disability advocate, and attorney Harriet McBryde Johnson.

  • Irena Sendler (1910–2008)

    Irena Sendler (1910–2008)

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum mourns the passing of Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who helped smuggle more than 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw ghetto during the Holocaust.

  • Miles Lerman (1920–2008)

    Miles Lerman (1920–2008)

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum deeply mourns the passing of Miles Lerman, Holocaust survivor, partisan fighter in the forests of Poland, international leader in the cause of Holocaust remembrance, and a founding father of the Museum.

  • Cardinal Jean–Marie Lustiger (1926–2007)

    Cardinal Jean–Marie Lustiger (1926–2007)

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum mourns the passing of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, Archbishop Emeritus of Paris. He strove constantly to build bridges of interfaith and interethnic understanding and was an outspoken opponent of racism and antisemitism.

  • Raul Hilberg (1926–2007)

    Raul Hilberg (1926–2007)

    The Museum mourns the passing of Professor Raul Hilberg, world-renowned scholar, founder of the academic field of Holocaust studies, and a key figure in the establishment and development of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

  • Sol LeWitt (1928–2007)

    Sol LeWitt (1928–2007)

    The Museum notes with sadness the passing on April 8, 2007, of artist Sol LeWitt. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1928, he created one of the four commissioned artworks on display in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

  • Benjamin Meed (1918–2006)

    Benjamin Meed (1918–2006)

    The Museum mourns the passing of Benjamin Meed, Holocaust survivor, leader of the survivor community, and a founding father of the Museum.

  • James Ingo Freed (1930-2005)

    James Ingo Freed (1930-2005)

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum mourns the passing of world-renowned architect James Ingo Freed. The Museum, which he designed, is an enduring legacy and a monumental achievement, receiving the American Institute of Architects National Honor Award in 1994.

  • Sister Rose Thering (1920–2006)

    Sister Rose Thering (1920–2006)

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum mourns the passing on May 6, 2006, of Sister Rose Thering, a passionate voice against antisemitism and a pioneer in Catholic-Jewish relations.

  • Pope John Paul II (1920–2005)

    Pope John Paul II (1920–2005)

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum mourns the passing of Pope John Paul II, whose experiences as a young man under Nazi occupation shaped much of his papacy.