President George Bush (C), First Lady Barbara Bush (R) and Vice President Dan Quayle (L) wave to a welcoming crowd Nov. 4, 1992 at the White House. Bush was defeated one day earlier by Bill Clinton in the race for the presidency.Getty Images
George Herbert Walker Bush’s death has left many Americans to reflect on the pioneering life of the nation’s 41st president. While he served just one term leading the White House, his accomplishments stretched well beyond the Oval Office and ranged from the realms of the U.S. armed forces to national security to Congress to international diplomacy to, of course, skydiving at an advanced age, colorful socks and much more.
Bush died Friday at his home in Houston. His son, George W. Bush, the 43rd president, issued a statement through a family spokesperson that his father, who he said “was a man of the highest character.”
“The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41′s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad,” read the statement.
Prior to being elected president in 1988 and effectively being promoted from vice president, a post he served under President Ronald Reagan, Bush was a pilot for the Navy during World War II.
He and his wife, Barbara, who died in April, were married for more than 73 years. During that time span, Bush was a businessman and an upstart politician in Texas before being elected to Congress in 1966. Then-President Richard Nixon would ultimately appoint him to the ambassadorship to the United Nations before Bush waded back into politics as the chairman of the Republican National Committee.
After being appointed by President Gerald Ford to lead the U.S. Liaison Office in China, Bush was named Director of the Central Intelligence Association. A brief return to Texas would be followed by his nomination to be Reagan’s vice presidential running mate in the 1980 general election. The Reagan-Bush ticket would prevail in victories in 1980 and 1984.
Bush would go on to win the 1988 presidential election with Dan Quayle as his vice president.
The above retrospective of Bush’s life, which has included such varying distinctions as having an aircraft carrier named for him and receiving a Komodo dragon from the Indonesian government.
Bush was born June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts. He is survived by his children, George W., former Florida Gov. Jeb, Neil, Marvin and Dorothy. His first daughter, Robin, died from complications with leukemia when she was a toddler in 1946.
Former President George Bush poses with Texas cheerleaders during the NCAA men's South Regional finals basketball game between Memphis and Texas in Houston, March 30, 2008.REUTERSA file picture taken on May 2, 1990 shows singer Whitney Houston posing with President George Bush at the White House.Getty ImagesThe wedding of George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Pierce in Rye, New York, on Jan. 6, 1945.George Bush Presidential Library and MuseumPresident George H. W. Bush visiting American troops in Saudi Arabia on Thanksgiving Day, 1990.George Bush Presidential Library and MuseumFormer President George H. W. Bush with President Barack Obama at the White House on July 15, 2013. Bush was wearing his trademark colorful socks.REUTERSFormer President George H.W. Bush (C, bottom) performs a tandem parachute jump with Army Golden Knight Sgt. Bryan Schnell over the Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas, June 13, 2004. Bush made two jumps to celebrate his 80th birthday.Getty ImagesGeorge H. W. Bush with Patrick, the two-year-old son of one of the members of his security detail.Office of George H. W. BushPresident George Bush (3rd R) waves to sunbathers as he jogs with actor Chuck Norris (R) and his son Michael Norris (2nd R) at Haines Point in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 1, 1990.Getty ImagesBush was featured on the cover of Newsweek in October 1987 shortly before he declared his presidential candidacy. The "wimp factor" tag line was a reference to the perception that he wasn't strong enough or tough enough to lead from the Oval Office. He and his son George W. were furious about the cover.NewsweekFormer President George H.W. Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch to Jed Lowrie of the Houston Astros as former First Lady Barbara Bush looks on prior to game three of the American League Division Series between the Houston Astros and the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 11, 2015, in Houston, Texas.Getty ImagesGeorge H. W. Bush as a United States Navy pilot seated in the cockpit of an Avenger.White House via CNP/ABACAUSA.COMPresident George Bush (C) reacts to cheers from the crowd as he changes his shirt after jogging in a Houston park near his residence, April 6, 1991.Getty ImagesGeorge W. Bush, son of the President George Bush, playfully steps upon his father while he warms up for a run at Fort McNaire Army base as his mother Barbara (R) and Secret Service agents look on, Jan. 27, 1990.Getty ImagesPortrait of the Bush family in front of their Kennebunkport, Maine, home, Aug. 24, 1986. BACK ROW: Margaret holding daughter Marshall, Marvin Bush, Bill LeBlond. FRONT ROW: Neil Bush holding son Pierce, Sharon, George W. Bush holding daughter Barbara, Laura Bush holding daughter Jenna, Barbara Bush, George Bush, Sam LeBlond, Doro Bush Lebond, George P.(jeb's son), Jeb Bush holding son Jebby, Columba Bush, and Noelle Bush.Getty ImagesGeorge H.W. Bush with his four sons, left to right, Neil, Jeb, George W., and Marvin, in 1970.Getty ImagesPresident George Bush concedes the election as family members look on after losing to then-President-elect Bill Clinton on Nov. 3, 1992.Getty ImagesGeorge Herbert Walker Bush poses with his wife Barbara during his campaign for Congress in the 1960's.Getty ImagesGeorge Herbert Walker Bush poses with his wife Barbara in Beijing in 1974.Getty Images
