Robert Strauss

WASHINGTON — Bob Strauss could work with anybody — Democrats and Republicans, Americans and Soviets, Israelis and Arabs. Playing the game and making the deal made his day.

Of Strauss’ many accomplishments — earning a fortune in postwar investments, cofounding an international law firm, leading the Democratic Party, running one successful presidential campaign and surviving the loss of another — being welcome on either side of the political street might have been the achievement he most treasured.

Strauss died Wednesday at his home in Washington. He was 95.

President Ronald Reagan sought Strauss’ advice when his administration was embroiled in the Iran-Contra affair. President George H.W. Bush turned to him when he needed an ambassador to the Soviet Union to represent American interests as the communist country fell apart.

President Jimmy Carter relied on Strauss, the son of an immigrant German Jew, as his personal representative during Israeli-Arab peace talks.