Obama praises founder of modern Singapore as a ‘remarkable man’

President Obama late Sunday mourned the death of Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.

“On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our deepest condolences to the Lee family and join the people of Singapore in mourning the loss of this remarkable man,” Obama said in a statement. “A visionary who led his country from Singapore’s independence in 1965 to build one of the most prosperous countries in the world today, he was a devoted public servant and a remarkable leader.”

Lee, 91, who served as Singapore’s prime minister from 1959 to 1990, died of pneumonia early Monday.

“I personally appreciated his wisdom, including our discussions during my trip to Singapore in 2009, which were hugely important in helping me formulate our policy of rebalancing to the Asia Pacific,” Obama added. “He was a true giant of history who will be remembered for generations to come as the father of modern Singapore and as one the great strategists of Asian affairs.”

“Lee Kuan Yew exuded wisdom,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement. “The counsel I was fortunate to glean from conversations with him — about life and politics and global affairs — is among the most valuable and insightful I have received.”

Kerry called Lee “a uniquely astute analyst and observer of Asia,” adding, “it is largely through his life’s work that Singapore became one of the United States’ strongest strategic partners in the region.”

“Teresa and I join so many around the world in offering our deepest condolences to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has so ably carried on his father’s legacy, to the entire Lee family, and to the people of Singapore, who Lee Kuan Yew always knew were his nation’s greatest resource,” Kerry added. “May he rest in peace.”

Former President George H.W. Bush said he was “deeply saddened at the news of Lee Kuan Yew’s passing.”

“I respected his effective leadership of his wonderful, resilient and innovative country in ways that lifted living standards without indulging a culture of corruption,” Bush said in a statement.

“I was also proud of the progress Singapore and the United States achieved together as partners,” he added. “Because of the example set by Lee Kuan Yew’s singular leadership, let me add I am confident that the future will be bright for Singapore.

“Barbara and I and indeed the entire Bush family extend our heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister Lee’s family and countrymen. I will always be proud that Lee Kuan Yew was my friend.”

— This report was updated at 7:43 p.m.