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Former Swiss president Leon Schlumpf died Saturday aged 87, the Federal Council said.
Schlumpf, father of the current head of government Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, died in hospital in Chur in the eastern Graubuenden canton.
“The Federal Council offers its condolences to the family,” said a statement.
Schlumpf was elected to the Federal Council in 1979 as a member of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
He served as president in 1984 for the traditional one-year term and left the cabinet in 1987.
During his time in office he was in charge of transport and energy.
“Leon Schlumpf will remain in the heart and in the memory of the Federal Council, Graubuenden and the Swiss people,” said the statement.