Transcript: Chapter 28

NARRATOR: When he left the White House in January 1989 Reagan had time to work on his ranch. There were still gophers to plink and brush to clear and vistas to open. He was almost 78 years old.

Dennis LeBlanc, Ranch Manager: Probably when he was 80, 81 he was still using the chain saws. But I believe he started concentrating more on the pole saw. You know, I don't know if age entered into it or not or if he just liked reaching high.

Narrator: There's a rock at the ranch where Reagan carved his initials and Nancy's and those of his married children, and Patti's name.

"We've reached out to Patti since I left the White House," he wrote, "but so far she's made it plain to me that she thinks I am wrong and that she is against everything I stand for." On February 4, 1994, five years after he left the White House, Patti called on her father to wish him a happy 83rd birthday.

Patti Davis: I sort of got this overwhelming feeling that I should go see my father. I had started to write Angels Don't Die, about the spiritual gifts that he had imparted to me throughout my life.

And, so he was very much on my mind. And I didn't even know if my parents were in town or, or, you know, if they were around, or if they were home.

And I called and, uh, he answered the phone and he was there alone. And I went up and saw him and told him about the book that I was writing, told him how much he had, um, enriched my life with, um, his spirituality and by teaching me, really quite simply, to talk to God. Um, and he was very moved by my telling him that because he had always wondered, as he said, what my faith was.

Narrator: Patti made peace with her father the day after his 83rd birthday tribute. There was no time to spare. At that event others began to notice him falter.

Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister: I remember we met beforehand to do all the photographs, which we usually do. And he was very quiet and not very communicative at all. And Nancy had to lead him to the platform holding him by the hand. And when she put up her hand to wave, immediately, uh, she said to Ron, "Wave." And he did. And I had thought that he was probably very tired.

Dr. John Hutton: When his time came there seemed to be a hesitancy, and his voice was not its usual strong, exacting voice.

Reagan: Frankly, for a minute there I was a bit concerned that after all these years away from Washington, you all would not recognize me.

Dr. Hutton: And then suddenly it was as if a switch had gone on, and his old elegance was right back.

Reagan: I can't tell you how thrilled Nancy and I are to be here with you tonight to celebrate as Margaret said the 44th anniversary of my 39th birthday.

Dr. Hutton: After this was all over we went back to the hotel, and he said, I, I'm going to have to have a little help. I, I'm a little confused. I, I don't know where I am. And with just a little bit of a reminder, ah, he was fine, but Mrs. Reagan had said, "There, now do you see what I mean?" she said. And she said this is, "this is happening more and more often."

Ron Reagan: I think all of us went through some period in our lives where we missed him while he was still there. And you know, kind of banged our head against that wall, you know, why can't we get any closer. Why can't there be more of a rapport. Um, but after you accept that you know, there just isn't going to be, you know, then... then you make your peace with that and... and ah, you know, now I mean it's... it's an awful tragedy of course, Alzheimer's is a terrible thing, um, and you know, you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy. But some of the pain, maybe is lessened by the fact that ... things haven't changed that much in a way. You know, he's not. You know, we're not missing something that we had to begin with.

Dr. Hutton: The president was very frustrated and I remember one time when he was trying to explain something to me, he simply couldn't go on with whatever it was he was trying to get across to me and said, you know, I'm, John, I'm just bewildered. Finally, he realized that it was, that it was becoming even difficult to make tapes which he used to make for political friends, etc. and we finally had to abandon doing, ah, making those, at which time he said I've got to somehow reach out and tell people that I can't do this anymore.

Narrator: This time there was no denial. "My Fellow Americans. I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. "Upon hearing this news Nancy and I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way.

"We feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote a greater awareness of this condition."

Morris: I can't think of anything that I've seen that was so transparently honest, courageous and articulate. The writing had the ultimate quality of good writing which is unblinking acceptance of the truth.

Narrator: "Unfortunately as Alzheimer's disease progresses the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. "When the Lord calls me home whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future."

Morris: I find it very difficult to think emotionally about Ronald Reagan. But that is one thing he did that catches me in the heart, is the courage with which he left his conscious life. The courage with which he stopped. He simply stopped.

Narrator: "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life.

"I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead.

"Thank you my friends. May God always bless you. Sincerely, Ronald Reagan."

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