Mel Sembler obituary

Mel Sembler was an American diplomat who was the United States Ambassador to Italy, and Ambassador to Australia and Nauru, and has also served as chairman of the board of the Sembler Company.

Mel Sembler passed away on October 31, 2023, at the age of 93. Sembler earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in 1952. He was of Jewish descent.

Mel Sembler served as the United States Ambassador to Australia and Nauru from 1989 to 1993 and the United States Ambassador to Italy from 2001 to 2005. Sembler is a resident member of the Florida Council of 100, a business advisory council to the governor of Florida.

Mel Sembler was also the chairman of the board of the Sembler Company, which develops and manages shopping centers. Additionally, he co-founded Straight, Inc., a controversial drug-treatment center.

Mel Sembler was a Republican fundraiser from 1979 and raised a record $21.3 million at a single dinner in April 2000. During the 1988 Presidential campaign, Sembler served on the National Steering Committee and the National Finance Committee for the George H. W. Bush for President campaign.