Former Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers, who worked in state politics for more than three decades, died Tuesday night, his son said. He was 77.
Colleagues remember Hardy Myers
"Last night we lost a giant in the Oregon legal profession and a dear friend. Hardy Myers was a lawyer's lawyer, a true professional, and a friend to all who met him. Many of the Oregon Department of Justice's current staff worked under Hardy's leadership during his twelve years as Oregon AG, and his legacy and strong work ethic lives on through each of them." -- Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum
"Hardy was the consummate public servant. He was always kind and gentle but pragmatic, fully committed to fighting for all Oregonians. Because of his service as legislator, Speaker of the House, and Attorney General, Oregon is a better place." -- House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, D-Portland
"Today, we lost a public servant who dedicated his career to his fellow Oregonians. Hardy Myers improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Oregonians as Speaker of the House and Attorney General. From strengthening domestic violence laws, defending our Death with Dignity law, securing Oregon's tobacco settlement and protecting consumers, Myers changed our state for the better." -- Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian
"Hardy Myers served Oregonians with distinction as a legislator, speaker and attorney general. Oregon's district attorneys mourn his passing and thank him for his extraordinary partnership and unwavering commitment in the areas of child support, services to crime victims and promoting the safety of our communities...We are grateful for his lifelong commitment to public service." -- Oregon District Attorneys Association President Daina Vitolins
"Hardy was a man of remarkable compassion, who took on tremendous leadership in the realm of victims' rights. Hardy's commitment to victims rights continued after he left office and his was an important voice for people too long ignored by the legal system. He was a real class act and will be terribly missed." -- Clatsop County District Attorney Joshua Marquis
Myers died from complications with pneumonia, his son Chris Myers said. He had also had been sick with lung cancer for the past two years, Chris Myers said. He left behind three sons, 10 grandchildren and his wife of 54 years, Mary Ann Myers.
Myers had a long and accomplished career in state politics. He served in the Oregon House of Representatives for five terms, holding the reins as speaker from 1979 to 1982. The Democrat was later elected attorney general in 1996.
Gov. Kate Brown lauded Myers' work to improve domestic and sexual violence laws and school safety policies after the Thurston High School shooting in 1998.
"Oregon lost a true statesman today. Hardy Myers dedicated most of his adult life to serving the people of Oregon as a legislator and Attorney General," Brown said in a statement. "His legal acumen was greatly respected by lawmakers, and he was beloved by many who worked for him."
During his career, Myers worked to improve consumer laws, including multistate settlements with drug companies. He bolstered services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. He helped negotiate a settlement between states and the tobacco industry in 1998. He also successfully defended the state's assisted suicide law, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2006.
Born Oct. 25, 1939, Myers was raised in central Oregon. He attended Crook County High School in Prineville before attending the University of Mississippi for his undergraduate degree. He graduated from the University of Oregon's law school in 1964.
Myers began his career in state politics in 1974 when he won a seat in the Oregon House from Portland. He served two of his five legislative terms as House speaker. After the House, he worked as a lawyer for the Stoel Rives law firm in Portland.
Myers ran for attorney general in 1996 after Ted Kulongoski announced he would not run for a second term as attorney general. Myers beat out then-Democrat Kevin Mannix and Victor Hoffer for the job.
Myers served 12 years as attorney general before he retired in 2009 at age 69. He is tied for Oregon's third-longest serving attorney general with Andrew Crawford.
Senate President Peter Courtney called Myers' death a giant loss. Myers was the first House speaker Courtney worked with, he said.
"He taught me everything," Courtney said in a statement. "He taught me to respect the institution. He taught me to respect the process. He taught me to respect other people and other viewpoints. He was a wonderful gentleman."
Chris Myers said he will remember family cross county road trips with his father, with many stops at historical sites.
His father was devoted to both his family and his career as a public servant, Chris Myers said.
"I think people really respected his integrity and fairness," Chris Myers said. "Those were the hallmarks of his career."
Myers' funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the All Saints Catholic Church at 3847 NE Glisan St.
-- Samantha Matsumoto