An Illinois Boy Done Good Passes Away

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jun 5, 2004 9:26PM

Former President Ronald Reagan passed away today at 93. An actor and Governor of California before moving into the White House, Regan was an Illinois native.

Born in Tampico, Ill. on February 6, 1911, Reagan grew up in Dixon, Ill. and graduated from Eureka College in Eureka, Ill. His entertainment career began on radio in Iowa before he headed out to California to act in movies.

Reagan served as Governor of California from 1967-1974. After losing to Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican Primary, Reagan beat Jimmy Carter in 1980 and served two terms as President. In recent years, Reagan's health had steadily declined due to alzheimers and other ailments. Nonetheless, Chicagoist imagines there's a little tear in Bonzo's eye today.