Dr. Henry Heimlich, who is best known for the Heimlich maneuver that has saved thousands of people for from choking to death, died early Saturday. He was 96.

The famous physician breathed his last breath early yesterday morning at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bryan Reynolds, a spokesperson for Episcopal Retirement Services, which operates the retirement home where Dr. Heimlich lived for years, confirmed his death.

Reynolds added that Dr. Heimlich was experiencing complications related to a major heart attack that he suffered last Monday.