Former U.S. Rep and longtime WV public servant Ken Hechler dies at 102
Source: Charleston Gazette
Ken Hechler, whose life spanned more than a full century and whose political career lasted more than six decades, stretching from the White House to Congress to the West Virginia secretary of state’s office, died Saturday, according to friends. He was 102 years old.
Hechler’s death was announced on social media by, among others, Jefferson County Circuit Judge John Yoder, who said he was at Hechler’s house for dinner earlier Saturday, and got word of Hechler’s death later from his wife, Carol.
In addition to his political career, Hechler was a soldier, author, teacher and activist. He shook Theodore Roosevelt’s hand as a boy, questioned Nazi leaders after World War II, advised President Harry S. Truman, and wrote a book about his grandfather’s service in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was the oldest living former member of Congress in the nation.
Read more: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-politics/20161210/longtime-wv-public-servant-ken-hechler-dies-at-102
activist, hellraiser and a giant of liberalism.
He did it all - worked as an aide to FDR and Truman, marched with MLK at Selma, interrogated Hermann Goerring for the allies, led the fought against mountaintop removal.
NPR did a great documentary on his life a few years back:
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Very sad
He of the great ones, always fighting the good fight. What a fine example of a life of service, and a life well lived. RIP.
