The family said that the lawyer, philanthropist, and former U.S. Army warrior passed away peacefully on Monday at his beachfront home in Washington state, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Bill Gates wrote: “My dad’s wisdom, generosity, empathy, and humility had a huge influence on people around the world,” noting that while the family was “saddened,” his health had been deteriorating for some time.
His death was not unexpected – at 94 and with declining health – so we all had a long time to reflect on how lucky we were to have this amazing man in our lives for many years,” wrote Gates’ son.
Gates Sr. was born in 1925 and raised in Bremerton, Washington, where his parents owned a furniture store. He joined the army after his first year at the University of Washington in 1945.
His family said he spent a year in war-torn Tokyo before returning to the U.S. to continue his education. After obtaining his law degree in 1950, he began working in private practice and part-time as an attorney in Bremerton.
Two years later, he married Mary Gardner, who was then the director of the Seattle Art Museum, and spent the last quarter of his life with her.
