State government underwent a significant restructuring as a result, with departments consolidated under executives that currently comprise the governor's Cabinet.

Rampton and friends in the business community got together with the idea of forming a group of people, businessmen, each of whom would pay their own expenses to go out on business to other states and other chambers of commerce to present the advantages Utah had to those who were planning to expand their businesses into other states.

The group became known as Rampton's Raiders. "I think it was quite successful. In fact I've been informed that we're still getting people that started their planning back at that day. Not very many now but a few," Rampton says.

He also undertook significant changes in the state's public school system and launched the state's first Olympic bid — something he says was good publicity for the state, although he personally didn't think the state was ready to host the Games then and was glad to see the proposal advance no further than U.S. Olympic Committee approval in 1973.

"I was exhilarated by the job" of governor, he says. "I didn't wear out. I enjoyed every minute of it. Well, that's sort of an overstatement I guess — I had times I got angry and times that I got hurt, but normally I liked it."

The Ramptons' two daughters and two sons left the nest during Rampton's tenure as governor. Lucybeth "enjoyed the role" as first lady but was diagnosed with clinical depression that was treated with medication.

That strain was one reason Rampton did not seek a fourth term. He says his wife, who died in 2004, was his most trusted adviser. But after three terms, "my wife had had enough of politics," he says. "Besides that, I was broke. The governorship provided adequate expenses but very little in the way of salary. I spent all I had in savings, and I had to get out and get a job and earn some money."

He joined the law firm Jones Waldo Holbrook & McDonough after leaving office and had an active practice for the next 15 years. He kept an office at the practice after that, "mostly keeping correspondence," but his visits there tapered off over time.

Becoming a "former governor" has had two notable perks, he says.

"I did get some very substantial cases because people knew of me as governor, so I think it helped my (law) practice," he says.

And the other? "People call you 'governor.'"

Rampton says he hasn't been overly active in politics since leaving office. He is a founding member of the "Damned Old Democrats" club that has lunch at the Alta Club on Fridays. Rampton says a lot has been made about the DOD club. Its real foundation? "Darned if I know," he says. It was mostly an excuse to meet with friends for lunch, and the group was mostly nonpartisan, he adds.

Rampton's view of politics in general is tainted by the times.

"Personal bitterness. I just don't like it at all. It's pervasive through the country. It's true in Washington. It's true in Salt Lake. (Candidates) have personal animosity towards each other," he said.

"I had a good candidate against me," Rampton says of Melich, his 1964 opponent. The two "divided over some issues but there was no personal bitterness," Rampton says. "He was a good friend. I played golf with him all through the campaign."

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E-mail: sfidel@desnews.com