Shriver Was 'Unrelenting' In Defense Of Service

R. Sargent Shriver — who died Tuesday at the age of 95 — lived a life of service. In a statement, his family called him a man of "giant love, energy, and enthusiasm."

Shriver was married to the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died in 2009.

His biggest legacy is the Peace Corps. President John F. Kennedy appointed him its founding director in 1961.

Since then, the Peace Corps has sent 200,000 skilled volunteers to 139 countries across the world.

"He saw it as an opportunity for all of us to be better people through service," said Mark Gearan, who served as director of the Peace Corps from 1995 to 1999.

Gearan is now president of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y.

Speaking with Morning Edition's Bob Oakes, Gearan said that Shiver's message not only benifits future member of the Peace Corps, but also the nation.

"I will remember his energy, his determination that was boundless, his generosity of spirit and moving along the efforts that I was engaged in," Gearan said. "At a time when our country is engulfed in a discussion of civility in public life I don't think there could be a better lesson than examining this very consequential life he lead for 95 years."