It is with great sadness we report that Marjorie “Marje” Acker passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023 in San Diego at the age of 95.
Marje Acker was a longtime staff assistant to Richard Nixon, beginning as a secretary to Senator Nixon in 1951, working on the 1952 and 1956 Eisenhower-Nixon campaigns, the Nixon for California Governor campaign in 1962, the 1968 Nixon presidential campaign, and continuing her work during his post-presidency years in San Clemente.
From 1969 to 1974, Mrs. Acker served in the Nixon administration as secretary to Rose Mary Woods, the longtime personal secretary to President Nixon.
A close friend of the Nixon family and supporter of the Richard Nixon Foundation, Mrs. Acker traveled to China in 2013 as part of a Nixon Foundation delegation led by Christopher Nixon Cox, the eldest grandson of President and Mrs. Nixon, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of President Nixon’s historic trip to China.
Marjorie Peterson Acker was born in Portland, Oregon and attended Oregon State University. She was active in the Young Republicans and later took and passed the Foreign Service Test, accepting a job as the clerk/typist at the Department of State’s United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Mrs. Acker was married to Phillip “Phil” Acker, a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and former City Clerk of San Diego, who was an advance man in several Nixon campaigns. Mr. Acker passed away in 1997.
In 2012, a Meyer Lemon Tree was planted in the gardens of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and dedicated to Mrs. Acker, honoring her years of service to Richard Nixon.
No memorial services are planned. In lieu of flowers, Marje’s family requests that gifts be made to the Richard Nixon Foundation.
Marje Acker with Julie Nixon Eisenhower in November 2013.
Marje Acker (left) pictured with Tricia Nixon Cox and Loie Gaunt, another longtime member of President Nixon’s staff, at the Centennial Celebration of Richard Nixon.
Marje Acker (left) pictured with fellow Nixon aide, Loie Gaunt, at the 100th Anniversary of the Nixon birthplace.
Marje Acker (left) in China in 2013 as part of the Nixon Foundation’s visit to commemorate the 40th anniversary of President Nixon’s historic trip.
The dedication plaque from the Meyer Lemon Tree that was planted in honor of Mrs. Acker in 2012.
