David Gergen, a veteran of Washington politics and an adviser to four presidents in a career spanning decades in government, academia and media, has died. He was 83., David Gergen, a veteran of Washington politics and an adviser to four presidents in a career spanning decades in government, academia and media, has died., David Gergen, who served as a presidential adviser to four presidents of both parties and educated generations of Americans about leadership and civic engagement, has died., David Gergen, a trusted adviser to four U.S. presidents who went on to play a pivotal role in shaping leadership education at Harvard Kennedy School, has died at the age of 83. Gergen was a dedicated public servant to a succession of presidents over four decades and later a national political commentator for CNN., David Gergen, a veteran of Washington politics and an adviser to four presidents in a career spanning decades in government, academia and media, has died. He was 83., .