Former President George W. Bush teared up Wednesday while finishing the eulogy for his late father, former President George H.W. Bush, as he said his parents are now together again with their daughter Robin who died of leukemia at age 3.
“Well, dad, we’re going to remember you for exactly that and much more, and we’re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity and kind soul will stay with us forever,” Bush said as he closed the eulogy at the Washington National Cathedral.
“So through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man,” he said. “The best father a son or daughter could have. And in our grief, let us smile knowing that dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom’s hand.”
President George W. Bush: “We’re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever. So, through our tears let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you. A great and noble man. The best father a son or daughter could have…” #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/WDGO4kk5BQ
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 5, 2018
The former president gave a touching and characteristically humorous eulogy for his father, painting the picture of a president, patriot, and loving father whose legacy will live on in the annals of American history. The late president passed away in Houston, Texas at 10:10 p.m. on Nov. 30.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were present for the funeral ceremony. Former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, along with their spouses, also attended the funeral.
Bush started the eulogy with a story about his father’s tradition of jumping out of airplanes to celebrate his birthday.
“At age 90, George H.W. Bush parachuted out of an aircraft and landed on the grounds of St. Anne’s by the sea in Kennebunkport, Maine. The church where his Mom was married and where he worshiped often,” Bush said. “Mother liked to say he chose the location just in case the chute didn’t open.”
Bush recalled when James Baker, his father’s former chief of staff and secretary of state, smuggled a bottle of vodka into his father’s hospital room in the 1990s.
“In his 90s, he took great delight when his closest pal, James A. Baker, smuggled a bottle of Grey Goose vodka into his hospital room,” Bush said. “Apparently, it paired well with the steak Baker had delivered from Morton’s.”
Bush described his father as a devoted husband, father and public servant who never passed up the opportunity to help someone in need. He also said his father was not quick to judge.
“[H]e moved his young family from the comforts of the east coast to Odessa, Texas,” Bush said. “He and mom adjusted to their arid surroundings quickly. He was a tolerant man. After all, he was kind and neighborly to the women with whom he, mom and I shared a bathroom in our small duplex. Even after he learned their profession, ladies of the night.”
“Dad could relate to people from all walks of life. He was an empathetic man,” Bush said. “He valued character over pedigree, and he was no cynic. He looked for the good in each person and he usually found it. Dad taught us that public service is noble and necessary, that one can serve with integrity and hold true to the important values like faith and family.”
In an age of highly partisan politics, Bush offered up his father as an example of someone who could see beyond the labels Republican or Democrat. He described how his father made an impression on everyone he met and was a mentor and friend to many well-known individuals.
“Many a person would tell you that dad became a mentor and a father figure in their life. He listened and he consoled. He was their friend. I think of Don Rhodes, Taylor Blanton, Jim Nantz, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and perhaps the unlikeliest of all, the man who defeated him, Bill Clinton,” Bush said. “My siblings and I refer to the guys in this group as brothers from other mothers. He taught us that a day was not meant to be wasted.”
Acknowledging that presidents are often held to a high standard, Bush offered a few imperfections about his father in a loving fashion.
“To us he was close to perfect. But not totally perfect. His short game was lousy,” Bush quipped about his golf game. “He wasn’t exactly Fred Astaire on the dance floor. The man couldn’t stomach vegetables, especially broccoli. And by the way, he passed these genetic defects along to us.”
Before closing the eulogy, Bush said that his father also taught him one important lesson and that was how to be president.
“Of course dad taught me another special lesson. He showed me what it means to be a president who serves with integrity, leads with courage and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country,” he said.
“When the history books are written, they will say that George H.W. Bush was a great president of the United States,” Bush added. “A diplomat of unmatched skill. A commander in chief of formidable accomplishment, and a gentleman who executed the duties of his office with dignity and honor.”
