Remembering First Lady "Bar" Bush

My story with “Bar” Bush starts back to 1966 when my uncle, Bill Steiger, was elected to the US Congress as Republican from Oshkosh at the age of 26!  It was the same year that George HW Bush was elected as a US Representative from Houston.  Thus began a long history of family bonds with the Steiger’s and the Bushs’!

I first met Barbara and her husband in 1978 in the Chicago O’hara Airport when they were on their way to Oshkosh for my uncle’s funeral.  He was only 40 years old, but had died of heart complications from his childhood diabetes.  As one of his best friends, George was a pall bearer.  I was a student at Texas A&M at the time.  He told me he was running for president in 1980 and wanted to know if I would go to work for him in Wisconsin when he launched his campaign.  I eagerly told him that I would love to be a part.

In November of 1979, I got a call from George asking me to join the campaign.  Within a few days, I had dropped out of college and headed to Wisconsin.  As a field rep, one of my jobs was to plan the visits by the Bush family.  Both George and Barbara came into the state many times to campaign and that’s where I really got to know both of them, as well as their son Jeb.

My fondest and best memories of Bar, as she like to be called by good friends, was that of traveling the state for ten days in a van whereby we hit all the small towns and villages where George would not be able to go.  I arranged the events ahead of time and then drove her around where I would get to hear her story about her love for her husband and family and how qualified George Bush was to be president of the United States.  She was a terrific campaigner and always showed great grace and class to all that she met!

I stayed in touch with the Bush’s over the years and had other opportunities to spend time together, including a special time about ten years ago, where my cousin, young Bill Steiger, and I interviewed both George and Barbara for an oral history project that we were embarking on to tell the story of Congressman Bill Steiger.

Their hearts were full of love and great fondness for the friendship that they had with both of Bill’s parents.  In fact, they were young Bill’s godparents!

It has always been one of the highlights of my career to have been included in the Bush family circle.  They are a special family and one of the main reasons is Bar Bush and her incredible devotion to the values of family and friends!  Loyal, devoted, dignity, and faith are just a few of the words to best describe this unique and special friend. 

Until we meet again……