Longtime LGBT rights activist George Zander died Thursday.

According to the Desert Sun, the cause of death was unclear. He was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he died sometime between 7 and 7:30 Thursday morning.

Zander's husband, Chris, wrote on Facebook that he died “in loving arms and in very little pain.”

“His passion and strength has paved the road for many of us to follow and build from. His legacy will live forever. I love this man more than I love life itself. I can only assume that is what true love is,” Chris Zander said.

Six weeks ago, Zander and his husband were the victims of a brutal attack that was investigated as a hate crime. Zander, 71, suffered a double fracture to the hip, while Chris Zander suffered a concussion.

George Zander served as Equality California's (EQCA) Desert field manager since June, 2009.

“We are shocked and heartbroken at George's death, which truly took all of us at EQCA by surprise,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “This is a tragic loss for all of us at Equality California and for the Desert community as a whole. While we still know few details, our hearts and support are with George's husband, Chris, during this difficult time.”