CONCORD, N.H. – Former U.S. Rep. Perkins Bass, the son of a New Hampshire governor and father of a current congressman, has died. At 99, he was believed to have been the oldest former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Bass died peacefully of old age Tuesday at his home in Peterborough, said his son, U.S. Rep. Charles Bass, R-N.H. Until recently, the two took short walks and enjoyed discussing current events, he said.

“His interest in public policy was not diminished at all,” he said. “Obviously, he grew up as I did in a household with a lot of concern for the issues of the day, and he was very good at providing his own unique perspective.”

Although Perkins Bass was a Republican, he did not let party ideology narrow his views, his son said.

“He felt that the ability of one individual to tolerate the views of another was as important as one’s own views and that it was important to be first, a good public servant, but secondly, to be tolerant of people that had different views from your own and learn and listen because better things came about as a result of that,” Charles Bass said.

Perkins Bass was born in East Walpole, Mass., on Oct. 6, 1912. He joined the military after graduating from Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School and served as a member of the Flying Tigers — U.S. airmen who defended Chinese supply routes over the Himalayas — during World War II, earning a Bronze Star.

Bass, whose father, Robert Bass, was governor of New Hampshire from 1911 to 1913, served in the New Hampshire House for four terms and as president of the New Hampshire Senate for one term before running for Congress. He represented New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District from 1954-1963 and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1962. When he returned to New Hampshire, he served as a town selectman in Peterborough.

Charles Bass, who served six terms in Congress before losing in 2006 and then winning back the seat last year, said that while it meant a great deal to him to have his father’s help during all his campaigns, he was more grateful for his support during his defeats.

“He was there to basically say, ‘I’ve been through it, I know what it’s like, there are very few of us who’ve done this, and I’m here to continue to be your father and your friend,’ ” Bass said.

State and federal officials remembered Bass as a devoted public servant.

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., said Bass “personified the very best of public service” and was known for extending a warm welcome to constituents visiting Washington.

“His commitment to civility and decency in public life stands as a lasting model,” she said.

Democratic Gov. John Lynch remembered Bass as a proud family man and New Hampshire resident.

“Perkins Bass loved New Hampshire and its people, but above all, he cherished time spent with his family in his hometown of Peterborough,” Lynch said.

Charles Bass’ office said Perkins Bass had been the oldest living former member of the U.S. House. The House clerk’s historian’s office referred questions to the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, whose 550 members make up about two-thirds of the living former congressmen and congresswomen. A spokeswoman said she could not confirm the claim but said 97-year-old Ken Hechler, a Democrat from West Virginia, is the association’s oldest member.