( CNN ) -- Robert Strauss , a prominent Democratic figure who led the party at a crucial time and advised presidents , died on Wednesday , his law firm said . He was 95 . Strauss took over as chairman of the Democratic National Committee during a tumultuous period following George McGovern 's landslide loss to Richard Nixon in 1972 , and saw it through Jimmy Carter 's election in 1976 . He went on to serve as a special trade representative and Mideast envoy under Carter . And under President George H.W . Bush , a Republican , Strauss was ambassador to the former Soviet Union , just before its collapse , and then to Russia . President Barack Obama saluted Strauss . `` Bob was one of the greatest leaders the Democratic Party ever had , yet presidents of both parties relied on his advice , his instincts , and his passion for public service -- not to mention his well-honed sense of humor , '' he said in a White House statement . `` Bob was truly one of a kind , and our thoughts are with his children , his family , and his friends too numerous to count . '' People we 've lost in 2014 . CNN 's Dana Davidsen and Kevin Bohn contributed to this report .
Robert Strauss dies at 95 , his law firm says . He led the Democratic Party 's resurgence in the mid-1970s . Score: 7