United States: Former President George H W Bush passes away at 94

Former United States President George Herbert Walker Bush died at his home in Houston, Texas, late Friday, his spokesperson said in a statement. He was 94 and had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease in recent years. Bush was president from 1989 to 1993. His death came months after that of his wife Barbara, who died at the age of 92 in April. One of their sons, George W Bush, went on to serve as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. George HW Bush was the last veteran of World War II to serve as president. Prior to assuming the post in 1989, he served as Ronald Reagan’s vice president for eight years. He lost his reelection bid to Bill Clinton in 1992 after a presidency marked by the Gulf War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. “George HW Bush was a man of the highest character,” George W Bush said in a statement. “The entire Bush family is grateful for 41’s [a reference to the 41st president] life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens.” President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump mourned the former president’s death. “Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country, President Bush inspired generations of fellow Americans to public service – to be, in his words, ‘a thousand points of light’ illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world’. In a statement, 44th US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama described George HW Bush as “a patriot and a humble servant”, ABC News reported. “George HW Bush’s life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling,” they said. “And he did tremendous good along the journey.” Other leaders and public personalities also expressed their condolences and paid tributes. Source: Scroll.in