World WAR II veteran and three-time presidential competitor Bob Dale passed away Sunday at the age of 98 after battling lung cancer.
“It is with heavy hearts we announced that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep,” the Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced.
“At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years.”
Dole, a Kansas native, abandoned public service after losing to Bill Clinton in 1996 but kept providing counseling and assistance services on several boards supporting Republican lawmakers.
The war veteran had survived near-deadly wounds sustained by German machine-gun fire while serving in Italy. Since then, he became a fervent advocate of disabled rights.
He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star of Valor for his services. He was the Russell County Prosecuting Attorney, the Kansas Governor for several terms, and three times a presidential candidate.
“While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own,” Dole said after his cancer diagnosis back in February.
