George H, W. Bush, father of George W. Bush, may be the last gentleman in the American political maelstrom.

The gentlemanly qualities of the elder Bush sprang from self-discipline and a desire to serve others. He was a naval aviator in World War II, almost losing his life for his country.

As president, he did break his promise about not raising taxes and even expanded the government, considered unpardonable by some politicians. Perhaps he thought the purpose of government is to serve the people and believed that a complex age demanded more services.

One of the reasons he lost his bid for a second term as president, it is said, is that he hated campaigning and abhorred bragging about his accomplishments.

Bush understood foreign affairs better than most presidents. Perhaps that is the reason he brought the first Gulf conflict, liberating Kuwait in 1991, to a successful conclusion in record time, then had the wisdom not to extend the war into Iraq.

Bush, according to an article in The Economist, “never claimed that his side had a monopoly on wisdom. In his inaugural address as president, he deplored ideologues who question not just opponents’ ideas but their motives.”

Ah, for such a public servant today.