Former Michigan Speaker Of The House Curtis Hertel Sr. Dies At Age Of 63
LANSING, Mich., March 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Michigan Speaker of the House Curtis Hertel Sr. – part of one of Michigan's most storied political legacies – died suddenly on Sunday, March 27.
Hertel is survived by his wife of 42 years, Vickie, his four children, Curtis and Elizabeth Hertel, Matthew and Rachel Hertel, Lisa Hertel, and Kevin and Ann Hertel, and five grandchildren, CJ, Nathan, Hailey, Lyla, and Jack.
"We are absolutely devastated this morning," said State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr., Hertel Sr.'s oldest son. "As we celebrate the life of this consummate public servant, we look forward to sharing our love with the thousands of lives that were touched by this great man."
Hertel Sr. – the 64th Michigan Speaker of the House – was first elected to the State House of Representatives in 1980. In all, Hertel served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1981 until 1998, serving as sole Speaker from 1997 to 1998.
Hertel Sr. served in a unique shared power relationship when he was the co-speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1993-1994, as that chamber was split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. During that time, he shared the speakership with Republican Paul Hillegonds. Hertel was widely respected by Lansing insiders for his ability to work across the aisle on substantive policy developments, despite political differences.
The Hertel family is well known for their public service in Michigan political circles, with all three brothers, Curtis Sr., John, and Dennis serving in political offices throughout their career. John Hertel served in the Michigan State Senate, representing the 2nd District from 1974 to 1982, and Dennis Hertel served in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 14th District from 1975 to 1980, and then as US Congressman from the Michigan 14th District from 1981 to 1993. Hertel Sr.'s son, Curtis Jr., is serving his first term in the Michigan State Senate.
Hertel Sr. was a proud graduate of Wayne State University.
Contact: TJ Bucholz, 517.898.4641
SOURCE Family of Curtis Hertel Sr.
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