PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON — Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, died at the age of 97 at his home in Port Townsend, Washington, surrounded by family and loved ones, his family said. Whittaker stood atop the world's tallest peak on May 1, 1963.

Born in Seattle on Feb. 10, 1929, Whittaker — known by the nickname "Big Jim" — began climbing with his twin brother Lou Whittaker as Boy Scouts in the 1940s. The brothers summited Washington state's 7,965-foot Mount Olympus at age 16.

Whittaker was awarded the Hubbard Medal by President John F. Kennedy for his Everest summit. He and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy together climbed a 14,000-foot peak in Canada that was later named Mount Kennedy. Whittaker went on to serve as state chairman for the senator's presidential campaign.

"You learn, when you climb a difficult mountain, you leave your ego behind and learn that you're just a little micro-speck in this life. You learn your weaknesses and have a little broader perspective," Whittaker said.

Beyond mountaineering, Whittaker built a long career in the outdoor retail industry. He became the first full-time paid employee of Recreational Equipment Inc. in 1955 and later served as the company's president and chief executive officer from 1971 to 1979. He also held leadership and service roles with The Mountaineers, an alpine club based in Washington state.

Whittaker testified before Congress in 1968, and his advocacy helped establish North Cascades National Park and the Pasayten Wilderness in Washington state, as well as Redwood National Park in California.

In 2013, five decades after his historic ascent, Whittaker returned to Mount Everest with his son Leif Whittaker. He also wrote a memoir titled "A Life on the Edge" recounting his experiences in mountaineering, business, and public service.

"He inspired many generations of mountaineers to explore the outdoors, including me. I'm grateful for the time I spent with him over the years," Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said.