Former Wash. Gov. Booth Gardner dies

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

4:52p.m. EDT March 16, 2013

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Booth Gardner, a two-term Democratic governor who later in life spearheaded a campaign that made Washington the second state in the country to legalize assisted suicide for the terminally ill, has died after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 76.

Gardner died Friday at his Tacoma home, family spokesman Ron Dotzauer said Saturday. He was the state's 19th governor.

"We're very sad to lose my father, who had been struggling with a difficult disease for many years, but we are relieved to know that he's at rest now and his fight is done," said Gail Gant, Gardner's daughter, in a statement.

The millionaire heir to the Weyerhaeuser timber fortune led the state from 1985 to 1993 following terms as Pierce County executive, state senator and business school dean.

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Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/16/gov-gardner-obit/1993061/

[nolabear]

1. RIP, Governor. Cross easy.

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. My brother worked for him in the Governor's office.

Extremely nice guy, it's a big loss.

[hrmjustin]

3. You put up a good fight and were a hero to so many.

Rest in peace Governor.

[MFM008]

4. RIP Gov

I voted for him twice. Thanks.

[alp227]

5. Sen. Patty Murray's statement:

"Booth was a leader of tremendous compassion, dignity, and bravery whose service to our state will live on far into the future. He was generous in sharing his wisdom and his time, and I will never forget the lessons he taught me when I was just beginning my political career in Olympia many years ago."

http://www.facebook.com/pattymurray/posts/10151499477003872

[KT2000]

6. Oh dear, this is sad

I loved his "management by walking around."
He was a really kind man who cared about others.
I worked on his campaigns and was proud to do so.
RIP Governor Gardner.

[PSPS]

7. Booth Gardner

[KT2000]

8. thanks for posting these n/t