Dick Cheney, the Republican vice president to George W. Bush has passed away aged 84.

He died on Monday from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. His family confirmed his death in a statement shared the following day.

“His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed,” the statement read

“Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing,” the family added.

“We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country. And we are blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man.”

Cheney, who was the leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq that was based on faulty assumptions, served alongside Republican President George W. Bush for two terms between 2001 and 2009.

Bush paid tribute to Cheney in a statement on Tuesday, remembering him as a “decent, honorable man.”

“History will remember him as among the finest public servants of his generation – a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position,” Bush said.

Cheney was a key architect of the Iraq War and remained steadfast in his belief the U.S. made the right decision, even as intelligence failures emerged and public opinion shifted. He argued Iraq had ties to the 9/11 attacks – claims later proven unfounded – and predicted U.S. forces would be welcomed “as liberators”.

While the invasion removed Saddam Hussein, it also fuelled years of sectarian conflict, allowed extremist groups such as Islamic State to rise and strengthened Iran’s influence in the region. Critics, including many Iraqis, blamed Cheney for the war’s human cost, while supporters viewed him as resolute during a turbulent period.

Prior to his death, Cheney had survived five heart attacks and was aware he was living on borrowed time. In a 2013 interview, he said he always woke up “thankful for the gift of another day”.

Image: CNN