Former President George H.W. Bush Dies At 94
George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States and father of 43rd President, George W. Bush, has passed away at age 94, the New York Times reported Friday.
His death came less than eight months after that of his wife, Barbara Bush.
The Times reports that Mr. Bush suffered from Parkinson's disease that left him confined to a wheelchair. However, it wasn't immediately clear what his cause of death was.
At 94, Bush was the longest-lived President in American history, and the last World War II veteran to have served in the office.
Bush was a Junior Grade Lieutenant in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. During his service, he was shot down and rescued, after which he served assisting in the rescue of other service members.
He served as an Ambassador to the United Nations from 1971 to 1973, as chairman of the Republican National Convention from '73 to '74, and as Envoy to China from '74 to '75. From '76 to '77, he was Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Bush went on to serve as Vice President to Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1989, after which he was elected to a single term as President. During his presidency, Bush focused a great deal on foreign affairs, and oversaw the Gulf War. His perceived preoccupation with foreign over domestic matters contributed greatly to his losing this second presidential bid to Bill Clinton.
Bush passed away at a family home in Maine Friday. He was being treated for low blood pressure at a nearby hospital several days before passing away.