Art, that he wasn't Reagan was far from the best thing one can say about him. Sweet Jeebus, remember all the goofy things he'd say on tv? Dubya got it from somewhere.
Something else, too. Say what you will about the man, but he really truly loved Barbara. I don't know, this era of "David Cop-a-feel", when of all my friends' marriages 2 have lasted for than 5 years, I really think that says something.
Bush the president may have left much to be desired. But Bush the husband, him I may miss. As well as Bush, the WWII navy fighter pilot. But that last one may be more personal than anything.
ETA: the WWII thing is very personal. That was my grandfather's war. And at my last job Vietnam was the median Grandfather's war. Let's mr know that very soon Iraq and Afghanistan will be the Grandfather's war.