Jean Becker’s father died in August 2001, just a few weeks before the attacks of 9-11.

She was home, planning for the funeral which was to take place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Martinsburg when the phone rang. A voice on the other end said “Jean, I’m coming to your dad’s funeral.”

It was former president George H.W. Bush on the line. And he fully intended to drop in on the small community.

“This touched me beyond words,” Becker said. “But it was the last thing I needed.”

Arranging the travel would be difficult. Finding a secure place for the former president to stay would be near impossible.

So Becker responded with a firm “no, you’re not.”

The Martinsburg native and chief of staff for president Bush after his time in the White House has published the story of those years in “The Man I Knew: The Amazing Story of George H.W. Bush’s Post Presidency.”

It’s the narrative of a man on a journey of a public figure as he grows into a new and unique life outside of office but still on the fringes of power. It follows Bush as he continued to find ways to make a difference in the world. The book tags along as he becomes close friends with his former rival Bill Clinton and acts on whims like parachuting from planes.

“The five scariest words he could say were ‘Jean, I have an idea,’” Becker recalled.

She compares the odyssey as Bush’s chief of staff to a roller coaster ride, punctuated by moments of sorrow, inspiration and humor.

Becker said she considered whether sharing a wealth of behind the scenes details was appropriate. But she has the instincts of a journalist -- her first job after graduating from the University of Missouri in 1978 was with the Ledger -- and completed the book.

“I had so many great stories it would be almost criminal not to write the book,” she decided. Such as the time Mikhail Gorbachev shouted at her to shut up. Bush and the former Soviet leader were trading vodka shots before a public appearance. Becker urged them to put the bottle away, prompting Gorbachev’s outburst.

But as she wrote, Becker realized the book served another purpose.

“He left a blueprint on how all of us could live a life well-lived,” she explained.

Becker graduated from Community R-6. After a decade in journalism, she ended up as deputy press secretary to first lady Barbara Bush from 1989 to 1992 (Becker helped organize the first lady’s appearance in Mexico). She then headed up the former president’s staff until his death.

The book was released on June 1. Becker is currently on a book tour, visiting Chicago (where the book sold out), Houston (also a sell out) and other communities.

“It’s my 15 minutes of fame,” she said with a laugh.

On Wednesday, July 28, Becker will make an appearance to discuss the book and sign copies at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Martinsburg.

In spirit, president Bush will finally visit the community.