RIP Bush 41

An hour or two before I finally crawled to bed Saturday morning, former President George HW Bush was trending on twitter, and a further search revealed it was because America had 1 less living former President than it had previously.

George H.W. Bush: patriot, public servant, and President of the United States.

Rest in Peace, 41. pic.twitter.com/lU0I3MXR6V

— GOP (@GOP) December 1, 2018

He was the 3rd US President to do the job in my life time, and the 2nd to be around at a time I was old enough to be able pay any attention to things like this.

Former President George H.W. Bush has died at age 94, nearly eight months after the death of his wife of 73 years. See @AP‘s coverage here: https://t.co/IHidqAA3zk pic.twitter.com/6tdiYcYdux

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 1, 2018

The last WW2 veteran to serve as President, and the last before the modern win at all costs spin-doctoring approach to politics took hold via his successor.
Not seemingly one to slow down in old age, going skydiving on his 90th Birthday a few years ago:

WATCH: On his 90th birthday, former President George H.W. Bush jumped out of a helicopter at 6,000 feet. Skydiving was a tradition he enjoyed. #Bush41 #RIP41 https://t.co/N8ptWXjp9T pic.twitter.com/Nqa0N4Cs4B

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) December 1, 2018

He was married to the late Barbara Bush, the couple once being spoofed in one of the “Naked Gun” trilogy movies.
He was also of course father to President George W. Bush (Bush 43, POTUS 43) and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

Here’s what other people had to say about him and this event:

Despite a contentious public relationship, Donald Trump issued a statement praising the life and legacy of George H.W. Bush. https://t.co/gjA1enpjmB pic.twitter.com/xKL0QbwhGr

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) December 1, 2018

In January 2009 the USS George H.W. Bush was commissioned in Norfolk, VA. It was the 10th & final Nimitz-class supercarrier constructed by US Navy. The carrier’s call sign is “Avenger”, named after TBM Avenger aircraft flown by President Bush during World War II. #remembering41 pic.twitter.com/kDIv6joLJy

— Bush Library (@Bush41Library) December 2, 2018

“I think — or at least I hope — that all of us will mourn the passing of this last president of the Greatest Generation, a man who was the incarnation of a nobler, more dignified America that no longer exists. R.I.P.” https://t.co/NdpEPXIOfD

— The American Conservative (@amconmag) December 2, 2018

‘To know you love me means my life’: The tender letters George H.W. Bush wrote to his Darling Bar – the wife he adored for 73 years https://t.co/JCqv4Bv067

— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) December 2, 2018

Thank you for your graciousness, civility, leadership and service to this country, @GeorgeHWBush. May you rest in peace #Bush41. pic.twitter.com/yAo3I2juiq

— IWF (@IWF) December 1, 2018

Condolences to the entire Bush family on the passing of former President @GeorgeHWBush. He was an American patriot who never stopped serving the country he loved. God bless. #Bush41

— Ben Carson (@SecretaryCarson) December 1, 2018

Russian Embassy flag at half staff in honor of #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/dfp739QtIM

— West Wing Reports (@WestWingReport) December 1, 2018

During production on the HBO documentary 41 my team & I were fortunate to have spent a couple years with this wonderful man; 41 was always concerned with how we were doing. A very sad day & a great loss for the world. We need more people like him #Remembering41 #Bush41 #RIP41 pic.twitter.com/uPZQdSwrhj

— Jeffrey Roth (@41_thefilm) December 1, 2018

The Queen conferred an honourary knighthood on George H.W. Bush making him an Honourary Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. He was one of only 3 US presidents afforded the honour – the highest honorary rank Britain can bestow upon a foreigner. #Bush41

— Victoria Arbiter (@victoriaarbiter) December 1, 2018

1948 The Babe presents Yale Baseball team captain the manuscript to his autobiography. That team captain would later become the 41st President of the United States. Thank you Mr. President for decades of service. May you rest among the stars. #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/33tMZ7l73u

— Rob Connor (@BabeRuthCommiss) December 2, 2018

When I was at CIA I wrote a speech for #Bush41 when he visited the Agency. He liked it, shook my hand, and gave me a signed copy. Such thoughtfulness is extremely rare. He was a president to all and not just his supporters. pic.twitter.com/AoxI9T1ZsZ

— Susan Hasler (@SusanHasler) December 1, 2018

Pres. Trump has designated Dec. 5 as a national day of mourning for George H.W. Bush. (AP Photo) #Bush41 https://t.co/SAs2zNdEQg pic.twitter.com/G9gPiIKk6s

— One America News (@OANN) December 1, 2018

WATCH: The American flag is flying at half-staff at the White House in honor of the life of George H.W. Bush. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/ENHjf39Cqb #Bush41 #RIP41 pic.twitter.com/dONHOrbQQD

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) December 1, 2018