Ambassador Jeffrey L. Eberhardt

Ambassador Jeffrey L. Eberhardt, 66 of Arlington, Virginia, formerly of Eau Claire, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Born in Fort Ord, California to a military family, he grew up in multiple locations, namely Alaska.  As a youth in Alaska, he developed his particular set of acumen from fishing for salmon whilst avoiding grizzly and black bears.  He later graduated from North High School in Eau Claire, WI with awards for athleticism and performance in both football and swimming. 

At the time of his passing, Ambassador Eberhardt was a Senior Advisor in the Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability Bureau in the U.S. Department of State.  Previously, he served as the Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation on behalf of the Secretary of State. 

Before joining the State Department in 2005, Ambassador Eberhardt served in the U.S. Army as an Air Defense Artillery officer and a political-military specialist (Russia/Eurasia).  Of note, then CPT Eberhardt showed steadfast courage and commitment to democracy and the Constitution in his defense of the Meiningen Gap at the time of the collapse of the Warsaw Pact.  He concluded his twenty-three year career at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as a Senior Military Advisor in the Office of Nonproliferation Policy, in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. 

Ambassador Eberhardt was an NFL team owner of the Green Bay Packers, an avid golfer as a member of the Army-Navy Country Club, and a committed family man. 

Ambassador Eberhardt holds a Master of Arts in International Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in History.  His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Ambassador Eberhardt was preceded in death by his mother, Esther Eberhardt. Survivors include his sons, Jeffrey Todd Eberhardt, Joshua Eberhardt, and Grant McElwaine; his father, Richard A. “Dick” Eberhardt; his brother, Richard A. “Rich” Eberhardt and seven grandchildren: Damien, Marcos, Ariana, Leila, Blake, Felix, and Landon.  

A funeral Mass will be held in the St Agnes Church in Arlington, VA at 10:30 am on Monday, June 24, in Arlington, VA. The funeral Mass will be live-streamed HERE. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery, with full Army honors, on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 9:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation in Ambassador Eberhardt’s name.

His family wishes him peace and comfort in reuniting with his beloved labrador, Buka.