A local artist who had the opportunity to sketch George H.W. Bush shared his memories of meeting the former president.

Robert Carley, of Darien, has some special memories of Bush. The two exchanged art and letters from 1989 to 2014.

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Carley has drawn caricatures of many politicians, but Bush was his favorite. He recalls that Bush, who was mocked for his poor luck fishing, was delighted by this cartoon showing him reeling in a fish. The cartoon was even displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.

Then in 2014, Carley got to meet the former president and Mrs. Bush in Kennebunkport. He presented them with more pictures.

"He actually got a kick out of it," says Carley. "In the letter he wrote me back and said he put it up in Kennebunkport. He said quote, 'rave reviews,' so I was really amazed that he would be that great a person to write me back. I never expected that." 

Carley says now that Bush has died the memories he has are even more precious.