Ford brought several Utahns to the White House, including Porter (as secretary of Ford's transition team and an economic adviser), Brent Scowcroft (as a national security adviser) and Stephen Studdert (an advance planner for events). All would also later serve Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

"I consider Gerald Ford one of our most underrated presidents," Porter said Wednesday.

"He inherited a difficult situation internationally and domestically as well as a nation deeply skeptical regarding the honesty of its political leaders," he said. "Gerald Ford, with his decency and integrity, was the right man at this crucial moment."

Porter, who met with Ford several times a week on economics when he was president, added, "I found myself constantly impressed by his grasp of economic principles (he had majored in economics at the University of Michigan) and his consistent preference for options that promised long-term benefits rather than short-term gains."

Likewise, Studdert remembers, "Never in my time serving on his White House staff did I see him do anything that he did not truly believe was in the best interest of the nation."

Studdert adds, "He was always mindful that he worked for the people. There was no ego, no arrogance, no prideful haughtiness so common among many politicians. His whole character was one of humility — he was the common man in all his service."

Studdert also remembers, "Gerald Ford was always a gentleman — in private and public. The gentleman we saw backstage was the same one the public saw on stage."

Paying tribute

Current Utah politicians also praised Ford on Wednesday after his passing.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said, "President Ford was incredibly gutsy and strong, yet also one of the most decent, honorable and nicest men that I have ever known. He could get along with anyone, and he was someone who could work with both sides. But he also had a high ethical and moral standard from which he would not budge — regardless of the political advantage."

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, added, "President Gerald Ford dedicated his life to public service, early on as a Navy commander and later as a member of Congress, vice president and finally as president of the United States. He was a man of great integrity and led this country with distinction during a very trying and divisive period."

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com