The Grand Rapids man is planning to attend the former president’s state funeral on Wednesday.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Former President George Herbert Walker Bush, who died Friday at age 94, often sought peace and tranquility at the presidential retreat, Camp David, with his family or to host foreign dignitaries.
Retired Navy Commander Joe Camp, who was commander of the rustic Maryland camp during part of Bush’s term, reflected with pride Monday, Dec. 3, about serving a man he called a “genuine statesman.”
“He was a patriot above and beyond, who served his country well and unselfishly,” said Camp, noting he was a decorated World War II Navy pilot, CIA director, vice president to Ronald Reagan before being elected president in 1988.
George H. W. Bush, dead at 94, left legacy in Michigan
Gazing down at personal notes from Bush and his wife, Barbara, and photos from Camp David, he said Bush will be remembered for his patriotism and service, dignity and graciousness, and how much he loved the first lady, who died in April.
Camp and his wife, Susie, departed Grand Rapids Tuesday for Bush’s invitation only 11 a.m. state funeral Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Washington National Cathedral. The president’s body now lies in state in the rotunda of the U. S. Capitol.
Bush will be buried at Texas A & M University, the site of his presidential library, along side Mrs. Bush and his daughter, Robin, who died at age 3 of Leukemia.
Camp said it wouldn’t be uncommon for President Bush and his family to visit the camp, nestled in Catoctin Mountain Park, three weekends out of the month.
“It was just a really great experience because you are working for a family that was very kind, very thoughtful, and you can see their joy of being there in the solace of the woods and kind of getting away from all the pressures of Washington,” he said.
“I loved every minute of it.”
Stationed in Italy, Camp and Susie and their 10- and 6-year-old sons Joe Jr. and Derek, moved on to Camp David in 1991. He served as commander until 1994 into the first term of President Bill Clinton.
Camp wrote to the President and Mrs. Bush in October 2016 about a recent reunion of several people who served at Camp David and their spouses at their lake home in Harbert, including former commanding officers, chaplain and other officers.
