International

Former US President George H W Bush Dies At 94

Darpan News Desk, 30 Nov, 2018 09:50 PM

George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the US and father of the 43rd, who steered the nation through a tumultuous period in world affairs, has died at the age of 94 in Houston, his spokesperson Jim McGrath announced.

His death on Friday night came less than eight months after that of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, reports The New York Times.

The cause of his death was not immediately known.

However, the former leader suffered from a form of Parkinson's disease that forced him to use a wheelchair or motorised scooter in recent years, and he had been in and out of hospitals during that time as his health declined.

In April, a day after attending his wife's funeral, he was treated for an infection that had spread to his blood.

Bush, a Republican, was a transitional figure in the White House, where he served from 1989 to 1993, capping a career of more than 40 years in public service.

A decorated Navy pilot who was shot down in the Pacific in 1944, he was the last of the Second World War generation to occupy the Oval Office.

Bush was a skilled bureaucratic and diplomatic player who, as President, helped end four decades of Cold War and the threat of nuclear engagement with a nuanced handling of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the liberation of Eastern Europe.

Born into privilege and a tradition of service, Bush was a son of a senator, student athlete, Texas oilman, Republican congressman, national party chairman, pioneering diplomat and spy chief, reports CNN.

After his own 1980 presidential campaign came up short, he served two terms as Ronald Reagan's Vice President before reaching the pinnacle of political power by winning the 1988 presidential election, soundly defeating Democrat Michael Dukakis.

After losing the White House in 1992, Bush became a widely admired political elder who leapt out of airplanes to mark birthday milestones.

Emphasizing the generosity of his soul, he forged a close and unlikely friendship with Democrat Bill Clinton, the man who ended his presidency.

When Parkinson's disease mostly silenced him in public, Bush flashed his sense of humour by sporting colourful striped socks.

Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush pic.twitter.com/qxPsp4Ggs7
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018

I will never forget George H.W. Bush and President Clinton meeting me in my old hometown of New Orleans to show support and raise money after Hurricane Katrina. I send my love to his family tonight.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 1, 2018

Statement by the Office of George H. W. Bush on the passing of the 41st President of the United States of America this evening at 10:10pm CT at the age of 94. pic.twitter.com/XUPgha2aUW
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 1, 2018

Dec. 17, 1992: Before leaving office, George H.W. Bush signed NAFTA. “You see, the NAFTA represents the first giant step toward fulfillment of a dream that has long inspired us all, the dream of a hemisphere united by economic cooperation and free competition,” Bush said. pic.twitter.com/LxpBOxPM8S
— POLITICO (@politico) December 1, 2018

September 2, 1944:

A very lucky 20-year-old pilot named George H.W. Bush is pulled from the Pacific by the submarine USS Finback after bailing from his flak-damaged TBM Avenger. pic.twitter.com/FSzZMeCN7F
— AeroDork (@AeroDork) December 1, 2018

We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of President George H.W. Bush, our 41st President. President Bush lived a life of service. His contributions to our country are almost too numerous to count. Director of Central Intelligence, Congressman, Ambassador.. pic.twitter.com/zQVz3gYqYy
— Texas GOP (@TexasGOP) December 1, 2018

Here's George H.W. Bush in 1964 when he was running in the GOP primary for a U.S. Senate seat, getting election returns by phone at his HQ in Houston. Bush won the Republican nomination but lost in the general election to Democratic incumbent Sen. Ralph Yarborough. pic.twitter.com/Kr6mtARjnY
— POLITICO (@politico) December 1, 2018

Pres. Barack Obama: “George H. W. Bush’s life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling...It’s a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though he’d want all of us to try.” https://t.co/1yiHaRmPNB pic.twitter.com/duHG8Stil8
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) December 1, 2018

Naval Aviation mourns the passing of our 41st President, George H.W. Bush, a Naval Aviator, statesman, and humble public servant. His legacy lives on in those who don the cloth of our great nation and in the mighty warship which bears his name, @CVN77_GHWB. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/0COuk6veDV
— flynavy (@flynavy) December 1, 2018

Former US President George H.W. Bush has died at age 94 in Houston, according to his spokesperson. Born into privilege and a tradition of service, he became the patriarch of one of America's dominant political dynasties. https://t.co/QYieF3pOtS pic.twitter.com/f3hUfHs0aM
— CNN International (@cnni) December 1, 2018

FLASHBACK: George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush dance in 1989. https://t.co/gC41hhjXEI pic.twitter.com/6ZIFIH0Lfz
— The Hill (@thehill) December 1, 2018

BREAKING: Former President George H.W. Bush has passed away at age 94 pic.twitter.com/hUxNDXMLIQ
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) December 1, 2018

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