Randy Kehler, a peace activist whose opposition to the Vietnam War so moved Daniel Ellsberg that he decided to leak the Pentagon Papers, the set of top-secret documents whose exposure changed the course of the war, died on July 21 at his home in Shelburne Falls, Mass.
His wife, Betsy Corner, said the cause was myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome.
Mr. Kehler’s pivotal encounter with Mr. Ellsberg, a defense analyst, at an antiwar conference in 1969 was just one episode in a life defined by determined opposition to America’s military machinery.
By 1969 he had already been to prison for blocking access to an Army induction center in Oakland, Calif., and was preparing to go back, this time for returning his draft card to the Selective Service.
Persons:
Randy Kehler, Daniel Ellsberg, Betsy Corner, encephalomyelitis, Kehler’s, Mr, Ellsberg
Organizations:
Selective Service
Locations:
Vietnam, Shelburne Falls, Oakland, Calif