A statement released by his family on Tuesday morning confirmed his passing was due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. Cheney had a long history of heart trouble, suffering his first of five heart attacks at age 37, and underwent a heart transplant in 2012.
In their heartfelt announcement, the Cheney family stated: “For decades, Dick Cheney served our nation, including as White House Chief of Staff, Wyoming's Congressman, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President of the United States. Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing. We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country.” He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lynne Cheney, and his daughters, Liz and Mary Cheney.
A Life of Public Service
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1941, and raised in Casper, Wyoming, Cheney earned a B.A. and M.A. in political science from the University of Wyoming. His career in Washington began in 1969. By 1975, at age 34, he became the youngest White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford.
Following the Ford administration, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Wyoming, serving six terms from 1979 to 1989. His deep experience in defense and foreign policy then led him to serve as Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, where he oversaw the military operations of Operation Desert Storm in the 1991 Gulf War. Before returning to public life, Cheney spent five years as the Chairman and CEO of the Halliburton Company.
Vice President
Cheney was tapped by George W. Bush to be his running mate in the 2000 election. He would go on to serve two terms (2001–2009) and is widely regarded by historians as one of the most powerful and influential Vice Presidents in U.S. history. His influence was magnified in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, where he took a central role in shaping the administration’s response and the subsequent Global War on Terror.
He was a key advocate for the 2003 invasion of Iraq and staunchly defended policies like expanded surveillance and "enhanced interrogation" techniques, asserting they were necessary to protect the nation. This stance made him both a figure of deep conviction to his supporters and a lightning rod for his critics.
Former President George W. Bush paid tribute to his former Vice President, saying in a statement: “History will remember him as among the finest public servants of his generation—a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position he held... Dick was a calm and steady presence in the White House amid great national challenges. I counted on him for his honest, forthright counsel, and he never failed to give his best.”
WNCTimes
Image:
wikipedia/commons Richard_Cheney 2005 official
Image from the U.S. Air Force website via Wikimedia Commons