Former Gov. Guinn remembered fondly by Nevadans

Remembrances of former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn came from across the political spectrum after news of his death spread on Thursday morning.

Guinn was apparently working on his roof when he either fell or had a heart attack. Guinn was 73.

Senate Minority Leader and longtime personal friend Bill Raggio said he confirmed Guinn's death with the family.

"I'm personally devastated," said Raggio. "I thought so much of him and worked with him very closely, probably closer than with any other governor."

Guinn served two terms was governor from 1998 to 2006. But with his long and prominent history, he has been described by more than one observer as the most highly qualified governor the state has ever had.

He had careers as superintendent of the Clark County School District, head of PriMerit Bank and head of Southwest Gas in addition to governor. He also served a president of UNLV for a year during that school's financial crisis.

After leaving office, he made his fourth and, finally successful, attempt to retire. He and his wife of more than 50 years, Dema, divided their time between homes in Las Vegas, Reno and on the beach in San Diego.

Republicans and Democrats sent their best wishes for the Guinn family.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., was one of the first to issue a statement on Guinn's passing.

"I am both shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of a true Nevadan, former Gov. Kenny Guinn," said Ensign. "It's nearly impossible for me to put into words what this one man has meant to me and the people of Nevada. Kenny was greatly admired and respected across Nevada from the rurals of the East to the metropolitan abundance of the South. Kenny was to me a great role model and someone who I worked very closely with -in fact, he has been an inspiration to me through the years beginning with the time that he was the Superintendent of the Clark County School District and he signed my high school diploma. He and Dema served Nevada well as our first family, and they have continued their tireless devotion to philanthropic efforts, such as education, in recent years. My thoughts and prayers are with Dema and their children and all the people across the state who are mourning the loss of a great Nevadan."

Angle senate campaign spokesman Jerry Stacy said the Angles were saddened by Guinn's death.

"Ted and Sharron Angle are enormously saddened to learn about the sudden loss of former Gov. Kenny Guinn. The news is extremely heartbreaking and marks a very sad day for Nevada. Ted and Sharron are keeping Gov. Guinn's wife Dema and their two sons in their prayers."

Nevada Republican Party Chairman Mark Amodei said Nevada lost a great leader in Guinn.

"Today, Nevada lost a highly respected and admired public servant," he said. "The party mourns the loss of one of it's great leaders and Nevadans are mourning the passing of one of it's great Governors. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Guinn family, and our condolences are offered in this time of loss."

Nevada State Democratic Party Chairman Sam Lieberman credited Guinn with the millenium scholarship that bears his name.

"Gov. Kenny Guinn was immensely dedicated to Nevada and its education system. He was a great man, who was always willing to put politics aside for the good of the state. Heading up first the Clark County School District and then UNLV, he impacted the lives of countless Nevada students and continues to do so through the Millennium Scholarship Program. He was an exemplary private sector leader. And as governor of Nevada he was the kind of man who did what was right even when it wasn't easy. He will be sorely missed, and my heart goes out to his family."

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, who served as treasurer when Guinn was governor, called Guinn his mentor.

"It was with a very heavy heart to learn of the passing of one of my greatest mentors, Kenny Guinn - for he was truly one of the finest individuals I've ever had the privilege to encounter," Krolick said. "He was a man full of wisdom who reached the highest levels of corporate and public life, but who never forgot his humble beginnings. I served as state treasurer during his eight years as this state's governor, and I saw a public servant who adored this state and her people, and his sole agenda was simply to make it better. He governed with a uniquely experienced hand, yet always with a gentle heart.

"His selfless desire to improve Nevada burned brightly until the very end - just yesterday in our last conversation he agreed to co-chair our recently announced task force for economic development. He wanted to be part of the critical effort to revitalize our economy and to help create good and sustainable jobs - particularly since our state is suffering so greatly.

"Besides his goodness, his legacy will forever be the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship. He believed with all his heart and soul that the opportunity to secure an education was the key to our young people's future, and ultimately to the future of our state. As state treasurer I was privileged to construct from scratch and then to administer the Millennium Scholarship, and he would regularly come into my office after hours and check on the status of his beloved program.

"Nevada is a better place because of his public service and vision. Kenny Guinn was one of those rare individuals who improved the lives of all those he touched - and I'm one of them. Kelly and I have the Guinn family in our prayers, and our hearts go out to Dema, their boys, and all of their grandchildren. May they be comforted with the knowledge that all Nevadans are tearfully mourning his passing, and that we will be forever grateful to have been blessed by the friendship, leadership and kindness of this extremely remarkable man."