Chief Justice Rehnquist dies
on Sep 3, 2005 at 11:30 pm
Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, whose health had declined rapidly over the past few days, died Saturday evening at his home in Arlington, Va. He died just 28 days short of his 81st birthday.
Kathleen L. Arberg, the Supreme Court’s public information officer, released the following statement late Saturday night:
“William H. Rehnquist, the 16th Chief Justice of the United States, died this evening at his home in Arlington, Va., surrounded by his three children. The Chief Justice battled thyroid cancer since being diagnosed last October, and continued to perform his duties on the Court until a precipitous decline in his health in the last couple of days.
“He is survived by his three children, Janet Rehnquist of Arlington, Va., James C. Rehnquist of Sharon, Mass., and Nancy Spears of Middleburg, Vt.; his sister, Jean Laurin of Grand Rapids, Mich., and nine grandchildren. His wife, Natalie Cornell Rehnquist, died in 1991.
“Chief Justice Rehnquist was appointed to the Supreme Court as an Associate Justice in 1971 by President Nixon and took his seat January 7, 1972. He was elevated to Chief Justice by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.
“Plans regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.”
Ms. Arberg said she had no information on additional details surrounding the recent decline in his health.
