Harold Scott, Nixon Commerce Official, Dead at 99

Harold B. Scott Jr., who served as U.S. assistant secretary of Commerce under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford from 1969 to 1972, died on Friday at the age of 99.

Scott, a Yale graduate and longtime resident of Palm Beach, Florida, was chairman emeritus of the Palm Beach Civic Association.

"During the 1980s and 1990s, he led the association as chairman, co-chairman, and president. Under his leadership, our organization took an active role in local issues and worked to make town government more effective," association president Ned Barnes said.

"We are grateful to Hal for his contribution to the community. We will miss him as a colleague and a friend."

Scott served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later worked as Pfizer's vice president for South America, the Palm Beach Daily News reported.

Following his service under Nixon and Ford, he became president and CEO of the US/USSR Trade and Economic Council. Many of Scott's meetings with Nixon are chronicled in the archives of the Richard Nixon Library & Museum.

He is survived by his second wife, Jane, a son, six daughters and 23 grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Palm Beach.

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