Dennis Richardson Dies Tuesday Night, Secretary Of State Was 69

PORTLAND, OR – After a months-long battle with brain cancer, Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson died Tuesday night. He was 69-years-old.

Richardson announced last June that doctors had found a small tumor in his brain.

His office said that he died around 9 p.m.while at home, surrounded by friends and family.

Richardson, the only statewide elected Republican in Oregon, made a point of campaigning on the platform of accountability rather than party. His office conducted several audits that received a lot of attention including those of the Oregon Health Authority and Portland Public School District.

"Regardless of what side of the aisle his colleagues sat on, we all knew Dennis' kind heart guided his career of service to the people of Oregon," Gov. Kate Brown says.

"His reputation for perseverance not only guided him through the fight with cancer, it also gave us all reassurance that he was fighting cancer with the same determination he brought to work every day."

Brown has ordered flags lowered to half-staff on Wednesday and on the day of Richardson's interment.

Praise for Richardson came from both sides of the aisle.

Greg Walden, the only Republican member of Oregon's congressional delegation, says that Richardson was a "wonderful public servant, and a deeply loving husband and parent" whose "civility is such a rarity in today's world."

As governor, Brown will appoint his successor. She has said that she will choose someone who like Richardson, is a Republican.

Brown, who appointed as her successor someone who would not run for election as Secretary of State, will look for that kind of commitment.

State Treasurer Tobias Reed says that "Oregon has lost an honorable public servant.

"Richardson served his country and Oregonians as a member of the armed forces in Vietnam, and in public office."

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who served in the state legislature with Richardson, says that, "I always valued his contributions and commitment. He was a great public servant who dedicated much of his life to Oregon and our country.

"We often spoke of his family, and my thoughts are with them and his friends at this difficult time."

Richardson, who was born in Los Angeles, was a Vietnam veteran. He was honorably discharged after serving in Chu Lai, Vietnam where he flew helicopter combat missions.

Richardson, a devout Mormon, got his law degree at Brigham Young University and moved to Oregon in 1979.

He settled in Central Point where he opened a law practice that he maintained until he retired from there in 2010.

Richardson was late to politics, first running for office in 2002 when he was 53.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy, their nine children and 31 grandchildren.