RIP, Gerald Ford

The 38th President of the United States has passed away. Ford was unique in that he was never elected as President and had been appointed as Vice President by Richard Nixon when Spiro Agnew resigned. Before long he found himself President when Nixon also resigned in August 1974.

Ford pardoned Nixon shortly thereafter, earning him the permanent enmity of the haters on the left, who probably still carry the grudge. He was also twice the target of would-be female assassins in September 1975, one a Charles Manson acolyte.

Sadly, Ford lost his bid for election in 1976 to the man who turned out to be the worst POTUS, Jimmy Carter, a boob we've since been saddled with. But enough about him.

Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., 93, who became the 38th president of the United States as a result of some of the most extraordinary events in U.S. history and sought to restore the nation's confidence in the basic institutions of government, has died. His wife, Betty, reported the death in a statement last night.

"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," Betty Ford said in a brief statement issued from her husband's office in Rancho Mirage, Calif. "His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country."

Ford died at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday (PST) at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., about 130 miles east of Los Angeles, the Associated Press reported. No cause of death was given.

Funeral services will take place in Washington and Grand Rapids, Michigan, his boyhood home, the wire service reported, and public viewings will be held in California, Washington and Grand Rapids. More details are expected later today. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, in Ann Arbor, and the Ford museum, in Grand Rapids, will open their lobbies for extended hours so people can sign condolence books. People can also send messages of condolence, or donate to a memorial fund, through the Gerald Ford memorial website.

Others noting the passing of Ford: Michelle Malkin, Power Line and assorted tributes at The Corner as they come in. Pajamas Media roundup here.