Longtime state representative Grussendorf dies at 69

Ben Grussendorf, former speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives and current member of the state Board of Game, died Friday in his hometown of Sitka. He was 69.

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Ben Grussendorf

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The Daily Sitka Sentinel reported that Grussendorf died at Sitka Community Hospital. Grussendorf, originally from Minnesota, came to Sitka in 1966 as a high school teacher, the newspaper reported. He served on the Sitka Charter Commission in 1971 and was elected to the Assembly of the unified municipality. He served two terms as mayor, 1975 to 1979.

He was elected to the state House as a Democrat in 1980 and re-elected nine more times, serving as Speaker of the House in 1985-1988 and 1991-1992.

"My father and I had the great privilege to serve with representative Grussendorf," Gov. Sean Parnell said in a prepared statement. "His wit, humor, and respectful leadership are characteristics we will all miss. We will keep the Grussendorf family in our thoughts and prayers."

Grussendorf was most recently a member of the Game Board, with his term not set to expire until June of 2013.

Alaska flags will be lowered on Tuesday in honor of Grussendorf. Flags will be raised to full staff the following morning.

Grussendorf and his wife Karen are parents of two children. The Sitka newspaper reported that funeral services are pending.

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