When he took over as secretary of state in the Clinton administration at age 68, Warren Christopher said he didn't expect to travel much. He went on to set a four-year mark for miles traveled by America's top diplomat.
The attorney turned envoy tirelessly traveled to Bosnia and the Middle East on peace missions during his 1993-1996 tenure -- including some two dozen to Syria alone in a futile effort to promote a settlement with Israel.
After his work finished carrying out the Clinton administration agenda abroad, the longtime Californian returned home for an active life in local and national affairs and with his law firm.
Late Friday, the 85-year-old statesman, who was born in North Dakota, died at his home in Los Angeles of complications from bladder and kidney cancer, said Sonja Steptoe of the law firm O'Melveny & Myers, where Christopher was a senior partner.
President Obama said Saturday that he mourned the passing of a man who proved to be a "resolute pursuer of peace" and dedicated public servant.
"Warren Christopher was a skillful diplomat, a steadfast public servant and a faithful American," the president said in a statement.
As Christopher prepared to step down in 1996 as secretary "for someone else to pick up the baton," he said he was pleased to have played a role in making the United States safer.
Along with his peace efforts, he said his proudest accomplishments included playing a role in promoting a ban on nuclear weapons tests and extension of curbs on proliferation of weapons technology.
