MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, who represented northeastern Minnesota for 36 years, died unexpectedly early Saturday morning. He was 79.
A statement released by his family said Oberstar died in his sleep. A cause of death was not provided. His former chief of staff, Bill Richard, said Oberstar died at his home in Potomac, Maryland.
Richard said Oberstar was not ill and his passing came as a surprise. Oberstar’s family said it was heartbroken.
“Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and brother,” the statement said. “While we mourn the loss of a good man, we also celebrate his life and his service. We ask for your thoughts and prayers, and understanding, at this very difficult time.”
Oberstar, a Democrat, was elected to Congress in 1974 and served 18 terms before he narrowly lost to GOP challenger Chip Cravaack in 2010 as part of a
Republican takeover of the House. He was the state’s longest-serving member of Congress, and became chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in 2006.
After he lost to Cravaack, Oberstar said he had loved serving northeastern Minnesota; his district included Duluth and the Iron Range.
“I can’t change and wouldn’t change any of the votes I cast this year to bring us out of this worst recession, chart a course for the future, to lay a foundation for a
better America, a better quality of life, a better quality of health care, rein in financial institutions, to give everybody equal opportunity and a better quality of life,” he said after his 2012 loss. “I wouldn’t change any one of those things.”
Oberstar was the son of an underground miner from Chisholm. The family statement says he was grounded in the hard work, community and family loyalty of the Iron Range region.
“He was active and vivacious and went to one of the grandchildren’s plays the night before,” Richard said Saturday. “He was going to do more things with the grandchildren today. … It’s a surprise to everyone. I had lunch with him last week and he was in great shape, and alert and physically fit.”
Oberstar is survived by his wife, Jean, four children and eight grandchildren.
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Associated Press writer Brian Bakst in St. Paul contributed to this report.
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R.I.P. Jim Oberstar.
He was one of the good ones.
79 years isn’t quite long enough from where I’m sitting, but if you’ve gotta go this is the way to go–at peace with yourself and your family, full of plans, happy, still physically independent, and engaged in the living world.
Unexpectedly, in your sleep, is good, too; it’s a good thing to die free of the fear of death, which can be devastating. I’ve watched too many people die ravaged by disease, worn down by a fight that has sometimes lasted for several years by the time it finally ends, many of them gasping and struggling for breath or unaware of anything but the intensity and rhythm of the pain that has become their whole existence. Even with excellent pain control and good palliative care overall and counseling and support, a prolonged death isn’t something you’d wish on your worst enemy. This is infinitely better and more gentle.
Anyhow, Godspeed, Congressman.
RIP, Mr. Oberstar. So sad that you lost in 2010, because Dem’s voters stayed home.