Joseph Wurzelbacher, the man who gained national attention during the 2008 presidential campaign as “Joe the Plumber,” has died at the age of 49. Wurzelbacher, who had been battling pancreatic cancer, passed away on Sunday morning, according to reports.
Wurzelbacher, a plumber and Air Force veteran, was thrust into the national spotlight in 2007 when he publicly questioned then-presidential candidate Barack Obama about his tax policies during a campaign event in Ohio. His pointed questions about potential tax increases for small business owners resonated with many Americans, who saw him as a symbol of the working-class individuals who could be adversely affected by such policies.
Derek Hunter, a close friend of Wurzelbacher’s, shared the news of his passing on social media, describing him as a “good man and an exceptional friend.” He also urged people to support Wurzelbacher’s widow and their three young children during this difficult time.
In response to Wurzelbacher’s illness, a GiveSendGo fundraiser was established to help cover his medical expenses. As of Sunday, the fundraiser had collected more than $120,000. The fundraiser’s page described Wurzelbacher as a “Toledo native” and a “military veteran,” and detailed his treatment at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital and the University of Michigan Hospital.
The fundraiser also provided insight into Wurzelbacher’s family life and how the donated funds would be used. In an interview with Faithwire, Wurzelbacher spoke about his faith and the challenges he faced, saying, “God doesn’t promise us an easy road. He just promises to be there for us when we go on these roads.”
Wurzelbacher is survived by his wife, Katie, and their three young children.