Memorial held for Ore. state treasurer
SALEM, Ore. – Oregonians are paying tribute to the late State Treasurer Ben Westlund.
The state capitol was the site Saturday afternoon of a public memorial for Westlund. The Bend rancher and politician died Sunday from cancer.
Westlund entered Oregon politics in 1997 as a House Republican. He became an independent during a brief run for Governor. He died a Democrat.
Governor Ted Kulongoski was among the dignitaries remembering Westlund's public service.
"He didn't suffer fools gladly but he knew how to," said Kulongoski, a Democrat. Kulongoski said Westlund's goal was always to make Oregon a "more fiscally stable and responsible place."
Ben Westlund was 60 years old.
From video on file of Ben Westlund:
