Reagan Celebrates His 86th Birthday More Alzheimer’s Research Requested

Ronald Reagan celebrated his 86th birthday on Thursday in the same low-key, private way he has lived since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago.

Brownie Troop 313 from Redondo Beach delivered cookies and a children’s choir from San Fernando’s Glen Oaks Primary Center sang “Happy Birthday” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” at a party at his Century City office.

Entering the building, the nation’s 40th chief executive looked much the same as he did as president - the thick patch of dark hair, the confident gait, the friendly wave - flashing his famous grin after spotting red, white and blue balloons, said a spokeswoman, Joanne Drake.

After blowing out the candles on a cake decorated with jellybeans, Reagan unwrapped a gift from his staff: golf shoes, in khaki and green suede in honor of his Irish roots.

Later, he headed off to a golf range to drive a few balls before returning to his Bel-Air home for a private dinner with wife Nancy.

Visitors to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley signed a 14-foot birthday card.

Few have seen the former president in public since his poignant “sunset of my life” letter in 1994 revealed that he was suffering from the irreversible neurological disorder that destroys the brain’s memory cells.

On Wednesday, the director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute told science writers in New York that more research was needed to deal with the increasing number of patients.

The briefing was timed to honor Reagan’s birthday.

Nancy Reagan, in a videotaped message, told the science symposium that while “we’re starting to turn the corner,” more work lay ahead.

“Victims and families are suffering with the cruelty of this disease every single hour of every day, and we must do more until we find not just the cause, but a cure,” she said.