End of an era
News of the death of President George H.W. Bush late Friday night was not unexpected as the 94-year-old had been facing serious health issues the past couple of years.
The 41st president served from 1989-93. I always was a fan of Bush. Perhaps because when he unsuccessfully sought the Republican bid for president in 1980 I was a senior in high school. I admired his first caucus win in Iowa of that year, a surprise victory over Ronald Reagan.
Bush’s early success opened the eyes of Reagan’s team who were sleepwalking. A battle-tested primary campaign sharpened Reagan’s debate and communication skills. The two foes became a formidable team in a landslide win over President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale.
The eight years of Reagan’s presidency, 1981-89, followed by Bush’s four years, changed the world I live in today. The efforts of the two men brought an end to the Cold War and Bush oversaw the tearing down of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany.
Bush’s success on an international front including a victorious multi-nation coalition win in the Gulf War in which Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s troops were expelled from Kuwait.
There have been missteps along the way as the history books will show and Bush fell victim to a recession.
The 41st president, who achieved the highest known mark of American approval in April 1991, could only watch it slip away when a sluggish economy and a perceived lack of concern for rank-and-file Americans opened the door for Democrat Bill Clinton and Reform Party candidate Ross Perot.
The economy started to improve by fall 1992 but it was too late. Bush, after his defeat, stayed out of the limelight but I got to shake his hand once when he traveled to speak at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas.
He and his wife, Barbara, who died earlier this year, were charming and classy people.
My Kansas State University heart also felt a twinge with the retirement of head football coach Bill Snyder who served 27 years as “the Coach” and been associated with my alma mater for 30 years.
In a bit of irony, Snyder was named head coach in late 1988 when Ronald Reagan was president and George H.W. Bush was vice president and was soon to become president in January 1989.
The beauty of time is the ability to offer perspective. Both men led with great class and a sense of dignity that is rarely shown any more. People clamor for a kinder and gentler time (a phrase associated with Bush.) Coach Snyder talked about the leadership traits and the importance of mentorship. I was able to meet him on several occasions and appreciated his message to young men and women.
As time tends to do, I will get involved with my day-to-day activities and memories of Bush and Snyder will be less called upon. Yet I’m glad I was able to see the fruits of their work around me every day.
