Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared news of his father's death in a post from his personal Twitter account Sept. 22.

He credited his father, Donald Blinken, aged 96, for inspiring him to pursue a career in public service, according to his a comment on his Twitter post.

“My family lost a parent and grandparent, a source of love and inspiration — my father Donald Blinken. A member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, a U.S. Ambassador, president of the Mark Rothko Foundation, chair of the State University of New York dad served his city, state and country,” Blinken said in his Twitter post.

Blinken said his dad inspired him in his public service and lived his life with decency, dignity and modesty. Donald Blinken loved his wife, Vera, and his family, he said in the comment.

“He built a wonderful life and gave me a wonderful life. I love you dad,” Blinken said in the comment.

Donald Blinken died peacefully in his East Hampton home in Long Island at age 96, AP News reported. Blinken canceled events he was scheduled to attend during the UN General Assembly Sept. 22 and had an adjusted schedule Sept. 23 for family commitments.

Donald Blinken’s career in public service started with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, the U.S. Embassy in Hungary reported. He was the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary 1994-97. He received the Republic of Hungary's highest civilian honor. He received the U.S. Department of Defense Award for Distinguished Public Service.

He was named president of the Mark Rothko Foundation and was appointed to the Board of the State of University of New York in 1976. In 1979, Donald Blinken was appointed a member of the Special Presidential Nomination Panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals by President Carter, the embassy reported.