FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney speaks to Air Force personnel at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois March 21, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed/File Photo

(Reuters) -Following are responses to the death of Dick Cheney, the former U.S. vice president:

FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

"The death of Richard B. Cheney is a loss to the nation and a sorrow to his friends. Laura and I will remember Dick Cheney for the decent, honorable man that he was. 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 he held.

"As a young White House aide and chief of staff, a Congressman, a Secretary of Defense, and my Vice President, Dick earned the confidence and high opinion of five presidents. I asked him to join my ticket in 2000 after first enlisting him to help me find the best running mate. In our long discussions about the qualities a vice president should have – deep experience, mature judgment, character, loyalty – I realized that Dick Cheney was the one I needed. I’m still grateful that he was at my side for the eight years that followed."

CHENEY FAMILY STATEMENT:

“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. 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.”

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE:

"Karen and I were saddened to learn of Vice President Dick Cheney's passing and express our deepest sympathies and prayers to Lynne and the entire Cheney family.... Throughout his long career, he was an American patriot who championed the men and women in our Armed Forces and the importance of maintaining a strong national defense for America’s security at home and abroad."

U.S. SENATOR JOHN BARRASSO, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING WYOMING:

"Wyoming mourns the passing of Vice President Dick Cheney.... Dick will be remembered as a towering figure who helped guide the course of history in Wyoming, the United States, and around the world. My prayers are with Lynne, with Liz and Mary, and his grandchildren as they celebrate an incredible man."

(Editing by Peter Graff)