George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, a man born of patrician pedigree, but with a sense of honor, duty and service to his country that played out over the last 60 years of the 20th century, died Friday at age 94.

George H.W. Bush served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993.

A brief but deep recession saw the popularity he gained from his diplomatic win evaporate, costing him a second term in office.

Mr Bush lost his bid for re-election to Bill Clinton in a campaign in which businessman H Ross Perot took nearly 19% of the vote as an independent candidate. Still, he lived to see son George W. twice elected to the presidency - only the second father and son chief executives, following John Adams and John Quincy Adams.

His younger son, Jeb Bush, served as governor of Florida and mounted a disappointing presidential run in 2016.

George H.W. Bush, a patrician New Englander whose presidency soared with the coalition victory over Iraq in Kuwait, but then plummeted in the throes of a weak economy that led voters to turn him out of office after a single term, has died.

George Bush Sr, the 41st American president and father to the 43rd, has died.

Bush did not endorse fellow Republican Trump, the eventual victor of the 2016 presidential election, who attacked both Jeb and George W. Bush during his campaign.

Bush's passing comes scant months after the death of his wife and first lady Barbara Bush - his "most beloved woman in the world" - to whom he was married for 73 years.

After an $8.3 million renovation to the main exhibit on the life of Bush in 2007, the museum now features state-of-the-art audio guides, with the voices of George and Barbara Bush, as well as their daughter, Dorothy. "His life spanned the American Century - he fought in World War II ... took part in the Texas oil boom ... served out a distinguished career in public service including serving as president during the final days of the cold war".

George H.W. Bush was an American hero and icon, he was a friend to all he met, he embodied class and dignity.

Bush was president of the US from 1989-1993 and brought a "dedication to traditional American values" and a determination to make the USA a "kinder and gentler nation", according to a White House biography.

Mr Clinton said he was always struck by Mr Bush's "innate and genuine decency" and by his devotion to his wife Barbara and his family.

In 1992, George Snr failed to be re-elected, losing to Bill Clinton.

His vice-president, Dan Quayle, said: "I have often told my children 'If you want a role model in your life - look to President George Herbert Walker Bush".

Bush presided over economic malaise at home, and infuriated his fellow Republicans during a budget battle with rival Democrats by famously breaking his vow: "Read my Lips: No new taxes".