Gerald Ford Dead

The longest-lived U.S. President in history died today at the senseless age of 93 at his home in California.

Earlier this year, Ford underwent treatment for pneumonia and later for shortness of breath.  He was fitted with a pacemaker and underwent angioplasty, returning in subsequent months for additional testing.

Gerald R. Ford, who picked up the pieces of Richard Nixon's scandal- shattered White House as the 38th and only unelected president in America's history, has died, his wife, Betty, said Tuesday. He was 93.

"My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather has passed away at 93 years of age," Mrs. Ford said in a brief statement issued from her husband's office in Rancho Mirage. "His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country."
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He was the longest living president, followed by Ronald Reagan, who also died at 93. Ford had been living at his desert home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., about 130 miles east of Los Angeles.

Ford's 10 best Presidential superlatives and singularities:

1. Longest-lived President
2. One half of the longest-lived First Couple
3. Survived two assassination attempts
4. Only President never elected
5. First Vice President appointed under the 25th Amendment
6. Only man to succeed a resigning President
7. Nominated the youngest ever Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld
8. Only former fashion model to become President
9. Only President born in Nebraska
10. Only President to exceed Dana Carvey-as-Tom Brokaw's longevity estimate by a full decade

Rest in peace, President Ford.

Elsewhere:  Wikibio, Hot Air

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Update:  President Bush Reacts

[President Ford] assumed the presidency in an hour of national turmoil and division. With his quiet integrity, commonsense and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the presidency.

The American people will always admire Gerald Ford's devotion to duty, his personal character and the honorable conduct of his administration. We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38th president will always have a special place in our nation's memory.