Elizabeth Warren’s oldest brother has died of COVID-19, the senator announced.
Don Reed Herring died Tuesday evening at age 86, Warren said on Thursday.
“He was charming and funny, a natural leader,” Warren tweeted. “What made him extra special was his smile — quick and crooked, it always seemed to generate its own light, one that lit up everyone around him.”
Herring joined the Air Force at age 19 and spent his career serving in the military, including “5½ years off and on in combat in Vietnam,” Warren said.
The senator, 70, is the youngest of four siblings.
Warren thanked the medical staff who cared for her brother at a time when the family was not able to visit him.
“I’m grateful to the nurses and frontline staff who took care of him, but it’s hard to know that there was no family to hold his hand or to say ‘I love you’ one more time — and no funeral for those of us who loved him to hold each other close,” Warren said. “I’ll miss you dearly my brother.”
I’m grateful to the nurses and frontline staff who took care of him, but it’s hard to know that there was no family to hold his hand or to say “I love you” one more time—and no funeral for those of us who loved him to hold each other close. I’ll miss you dearly my brother. pic.twitter.com/oOG6HArEL6
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 23, 2020
