By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

Edwin J. Feulner, the visionary founder who built The Heritage Foundation into an intellectual powerhouse and a cornerstone of the modern conservative movement, passed away on Friday at the age of 83. His death marks the end of an era for conservative policy in Washington and beyond.

Feulner was a pivotal figure in shaping American conservatism, launching The Heritage Foundation in 1973 with a bold ambition: to create a think tank that not only produced scholarly research but also actively influenced public policy. Under his leadership, the organization grew exponentially from a small outpost into a formidable force, widely credited with providing the intellectual ammunition for the Reagan Revolution and subsequent conservative legislative successes.

He championed a new model of policy advocacy, emphasizing concise, timely research designed to fit into a policymaker’s “briefcase” – a concept that revolutionized how think tanks engaged with Capitol Hill. Feulner served as Heritage’s president for decades (1977-2013 and again briefly in 2017-2018), transforming it into one of the world’s largest and most influential public policy research institutions. His colleagues and admirers frequently lauded his strategic acumen, tireless dedication, and unwavering commitment to principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, and a strong national defense.

Tributes from across the conservative spectrum poured in, remembering Feulner as a patriot, a builder of institutions, and a mentor to generations of conservative leaders. His legacy is seen not just in the bricks and mortar of Heritage’s Washington headquarters, but in the enduring influence of conservative ideas on American governance.