Ross Perot Dead at 89

ms traditional · ‎03-09-2010

Ross Perot died at home surrounded by family and friends after a 5-month fight with leukemia.

Early in his life, he served in the Navy, before returning home and making the treatment of veterans and prisoners of war a part of his later activism work.

He made his billions through his computer systems work, starting his career at IBM before leaving to found Electronic Data Systems, an information technology and services company.

His most notable foray into politics started with his 1992 presidential bid, when he ran as an independent candidate against then-President George H. W. Bush and Democratic challenger Bill Clinton.

For me he touched my heart when he launched a private rescue mission for some of his employees caught in the throes of the Iranian revolution. He spared no expense. Ken Follett memorialized this daring venture in "On Wings of Eagles."

He was an American original - an amazing entrepreneur, supporter of veterans and their causes, philanthropist, lover of his family, his community and his country.

Anonymous032819 · ‎03-29-2019

I saw this too, and thought about starting a thread about it, but I decided against doing so, because I was afraid that it might be deemed as "political", or turn political, and thus, be removed/closed.

The Sky looks different when you have someone you love up there.

phoenixbrd · ‎03-27-2010

Much to admire about Ross Perot....may he rest in peace.

ValuSkr · ‎03-15-2014

I haven't thought about him in a long time. He was an original, that's for sure. May he rest in peace.

golding76 · ‎05-19-2012

Perot was an unusual dude, and I respected him for some of the causes he supported.

RIP

beckyb1012 · ‎03-09-2010

I recently thought about him due to reading the biography that just came out a couple of months ago about Barbara Bush. Definite passages in her interview for the book. One thing that always stands out in my mind about Mr. Perot was his saying, "if a wife cannot trust her husband why should I."

He accomplished a great deal in his life.

"Live frugally, but love extravagantly."

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

I am so sorry to hear this.

I hadn't thought of him in a long time either, but I did admire so many of the things he did and believed.

I read his book United We Stand and

though many thought he was just crazy, I thought he was a true humanitarian, very compassionate and ahead of his time with principals and ideas

that could benefit all in any time.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

Excellent biographical summary, @ms traditional. May he rest in peace.

ms traditional · ‎03-09-2010

@Oznell wrote:
Excellent biographical summary, @ms traditional. May he rest in peace.

i got help from ABC, @Oznell - but personal note is my own.

yes, RIP. he definitely gave his ALL!

golding76 · ‎05-19-2012

This paragraph I found online captures so much of Perot's essence:

As a boy in Texarkana, Texas, Perot delivered newspapers from the back of a pony. He earned his billions in a more modern way, however — by building Electronic Data Systems Corp., which helped other companies manage their computer networks.