Samuel Z. Westerfield Jr.

Samuel Zazu Westerfield Jr. (November 15, 1919, Chicago, Illinois – July 19, 1972, Monrovia, Liberia) was a career foreign services officer who was appointed American ambassador to Liberia on July 8, 1969.

His father was the first black student to graduate with a Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Nebraska.

[1] He was one of the first black economists to join the diplomatic service and was considered an authority on the economic plight of Africa.

[1] Westerfield had a fatal heart attack on July 19, 1972, at the embassy in Monrovia at the age of 52.

Shortly before his death, Westerfield and his wife, Helene, served as official hosts to Mrs. Richard Nixon who attended the inauguration ceremonies of Liberian President William Tolbert.