Former President Ronald Reagan dies

This is not original reporting. All information was compiled from The Washington Post article, Ronald Reagan Dies, written by David Von Drehle.

Former President Ronald Reagan, who announced to the American public ten years ago that he had Alzheimer's disease, died Saturday afternoon in the company of his wife and children due to complications arising from pneumonia. The 40th President of the United States was 93.

Born in Tampico, IL and educated at Eureka College, Reagan engaged in many jobs before becoming president. He was a radio sportscaster, a movie actor, host of a TV variety show, a soap salesman, a motivational speaker and the Governor of California before becoming President of the United States.

Reagan is considered one of the most important presidents in U.S history. He is credited for ending the Cold War and putting pressure that lead to the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1987, Reagan visited the Berlin Wall and dared Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev to tear it down.

Unquestioned was Reagan's ability to connect with the American public. In 1984, he was reelected with the largest number of popular and electoral votes in U.S. history.

Reagan's body will lie at his presidential library in Simi Valley, California for the early portion of this week. The body will then be transported by Air Force One to Washington on Wednesday, where he will be placed in the Capitol Rotunda. Towards the weekend, he will have a funeral procession with horse-drawn caisson from the Capitol to a spot near the White House. A hearse will carry the casket to the Washington National Cathedral for a funeral officiated by newly nominated ambassador to the United Nations, John C. Danforth, an Episcopalian minister and a former Republican senator from Missouri.

Death from Alzheimer's disease can result from the effects of immobility, disordered swallowing and malnutrition. Pneumonia is often a cause of death for Alzheimer's patients.