Oregon Mourns State Senator Alan Bates

State Senator Alan Bates, a doctor who went on to represent Medford for 15 years as a state senator, died Friday while on a fishing trip with his son. He was 71-years-old.

"Alan was a close friend, a statesman, and a doctor who was deeply committed to ensuring that every Oregonian had access to health care," Governor Kate Brown said in a statement.

"He left an indelible impression on Oregon, and I will miss him forever."

Oregon's senior senator, Ron Wyden, said that Bates would often moderate his town halls when he came to town and described as an important advisor on health issues.

"I have watched him pour his heart and soul into helping others," Wyden said. "I am always going to treasure Alan's wise and common sense counsel."

Oregon's other senator, Jeff Merkley, said that Bates's absence will leave a hole in the state.

"His leadership and expertise will be deeply missed," Merkley said.

Bates had gone on a fishing trip with his son. On Friday, the older Bates had gone down to the river to clean some fish. When he had not returned after a while, his son found him dead.

Officials said it was a medical event.

Bates was an osteopath who graduated from the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was an Army veteran who served in Vietnam.

As the chair of the Health Services Commission, he helped create the Oregon Health Plan. He went on to be elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2000 and was then elected to the state senate in 2004.

In 2015, he helped save the life of Senator Alan Bates, a Republican colleague who was having chest pains.

He later joked that "forever I'll have to wear this around my neck, like an albatross. I have a Republican."