Authorities in Washington, D.C., are investigating the theft of a bronze bust of Robert F. Kennedy, which was taken from the grounds of the now-demolished RFK Stadium. This memorial sculpture was erected the year following Kennedy’s assassination in 1968 and has been a significant symbol of remembrance for many locals.
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According to D.C. police, the bust went missing sometime between September 15 and October 1, 2023. A security representative from D.C. Events, the agency responsible for overseeing events in the city, reported that it was removed under unknown circumstances. The local police department’s investigation is ongoing, but as of October 8, no suspects have been identified.
The sculpture, which portrayed the late senator and attorney general, was recently relocated to a grassy area of the stadium’s site, following the stadium’s demolition in 2022. The bust was originally positioned outside the stadium, where it had remained for decades. A spokesperson for D.C. Events confirmed that the pedestal of the bust was left behind at the scene and has since been placed into storage.
Skip Strobel, a former federal employee who has spearheaded efforts to create a museum and memorial library on the RFK Stadium grounds, expressed his dismay at the bust’s disappearance. He reported that he last saw the sculpture on September 15 while visiting the small garden established around it, where he had planted sunflowers and native plants, creating a peaceful setting in the area now rendered defunct.
Strobel, who at 75 years old has been an ardent admirer of Kennedy since his teenage years, reflected on the loss of the bust. “Bobby Kennedy is my number one hero since I was 14,” he shared while observing the empty area where the sculpture once stood. His emotional connection to the memorial underscores the significance of the statue not just as a tribute to Kennedy but as a vital aspect of local history.
The bust was crafted by renowned sculptor Robert Berks, who also created several notable busts of other prominent figures, including an impressive 8-foot-tall bronze sculpture of John F. Kennedy, situated at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In a nod to their shared legacy, President Joe Biden previously displayed a different bust of Robert F. Kennedy in the Oval Office during his administration.
The RFK Memorial bust was originally unveiled in 1969, shortly after the tragic assassination of Robert F. Kennedy during his presidential campaign. Its presence was intended to serve as both a tribute and a reminder of the ideals he championed throughout his life and political career. In 2005, there was a brief and publically contested movement to sell naming rights to the stadium, coinciding with the arrival of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals. However, this proposal was swiftly opposed by Senator Ted Kennedy, RFK’s brother.
In recent discussions, the White House explored the idea of naming a new $4 billion NFL stadium in honour of former President Donald Trump, who reportedly supported the redevelopment of the site where the RFK Stadium once stood. Such comments have provoked a spectrum of reactions from the public regarding the legacy of Kennedy versus the current political landscape.
While the theft of Robert F. Kennedy’s bust is a cause for concern within the community, it has also revitalised discussions on the significance of memorials and who is remembered in public spaces. The absence of the sculpture not only marks a loss for local history enthusiasts but raises questions about its future and the importance of preserving memories of impactful figures.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of RFK’s many children, has yet to publicly address the theft of his father’s bust, and it remains unclear how the family will respond to this unfortunate incident. As the investigation continues, the community waits to see if the sculpture can be recovered, allowing the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy to endure within the hearts of those he inspired.