[dead]

The "while" is like an apology for acknowledging the man's passing, for heaven's sake!

Boy, that’s a stretch. It’s a quietly respectful statement of the facts as it regards Reagan’s relationship with the SAG, which was but a small chapter in his life.

Perhaps if they sang it to some sappy tune and ran photos of children crying you would feel better about it.

[Wolfstar]

With respect, Dead, it isn't a stretch. As mentioned, I take words literally. When used as a conjunction, "while" is a comparative used to diminish one value over another:

From Mirriam-Webster:
2 a : when on the other hand : WHEREAS [easy for an expert, while it is dangerous for a novice] b : in spite of the fact that : ALTHOUGH [while respected, he is not liked]

In the context of the statement, "while" diminishes the achievements the statment discusses. Now that is what I see in it. If others don't, so be it.