Thomas Ongelibel Remengesau (28 November 1929 – 3 August 2019), also known as Thomas Remengesau Sr., was a politician in

Palau Palau, officially the Republic of Palau, is an island country in the Micronesia subregion of Oceania in the western Pacific Ocean. The Republic of Palau consists of approximately 340 islands and is the western part of the Caroline Islands ...

. He was

Vice President of Palau Vice President of Palau is the second-highest position in the executive branch of the government of Palau, after the President of Palau, president. The vice president is elected in popular elections separate from presidential elections. When ...

from 1985 to 1988, and acting

President of Palau The president of the Republic of Palau is the head of state and head of government of Palau. The president is Direct election, directly elected to a four-year term, and can be reelected once in a consecutive manner. List of officeholders ; ...

in 1985 and

from 1988 to 1989 following the violent deaths of two previous presidents. When President

Haruo Remeliik Haruo Ignacio Remeliik (1 June 1931 – 30 June 1985) was the first President of Palau from 2 March 1981 until his assassination on 30 June 1985. He is buried at Kloulklubed in his home state of Peleliu. Remeliik was of mixed Japanese and Pala ...

was assassinated in June 1985, Vice President Oiterong returned from

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

to Palau on 2 July to take office of the President. Between these dates Minister of Justice Remengesau served as acting

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

until 2 July 1985. Remengesau was elected as Vice President in the special election in August 1985. After the shooting of President

Lazarus Salii Lazarus Eitaro Salii (17 November 1936 – 20 August 1988) was a politician from Palau. He served as the second elected President of Palau from 25 October 1985 until his death by suicide on 20 August 1988, amid bribery allegations. Salii was e ...

in August 1988, Remengesau became the President of Palau until Ngiratkel Etpison was sworn in January 1989. He was the Maderngebuked of

Ngaraard Ngaraard is one of the 16 states of the Republic of Palau, and was originally named Kerradel. History Ngaraard's history can be divided into four eras corresponding to Spanish, German and Japanese domination up to World War II. Spanish colo ...

Family

Remengesau was married to Ferista Esang Remengesau, who served as

First Lady of Palau First Lady of Palau is the official title attributed to the wife of the president of Palau. The country's current first lady is Valerie Whipps, wife of President Surangel Whipps Jr., who had held the position since 21 January 2021. First ladi ...

during her husband's brief terms as President. They had eight children. Their eldest child is

Thomas Remengesau Jr. Thomas Esang "Tommy" Remengesau Jr. (born 28 February 1956) is a Palauan politician. He served as the Palauan president between 2001-2009 and 2013-2021. He served as a Senator in the Palau National Congress between his two administrations. In ...

, who was President of Palau from 2001 to 2009 and from 2013 to 2021.

Valerie Whipps Valerie Esang Whipps (née Remengesau) is a Palauan stateswoman who has been First Lady of Palau since 21 January 2021. Career Whipps accompanied her husband on a state visit to Taiwan in March 2021. They met with President of Taiwan Tsai Ing- ...

, daughter of Thomas Sr. and Ferista Esang Remengesau married Surangel Whipps Jr., a businessman and current

. Remengesau died on 3 August 2019, aged 89 during his son's last presidential term.

References

1929 births Palauan Roman Catholics 2019 deaths 20th-century Palauan politicians Justice ministers of Palau People from Koror Presidents of Palau Traditional chiefs of Palau Vice presidents of Palau 20th-century presidents in Oceania {{Palau-politician-stub