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Calvin Rampton, former Utah governor, dies at 93

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Randall Reitz | 4:47 a.m. Sept. 18, 2007
Governor Rampton, Thank you for your years of communtiy service and strong vision. Your contributions to higher education and progressive business practices make Utah a better place to live. Your congenial political style will indeed be missed
Mark | 6:41 a.m. Sept. 18, 2007
Thank you, Bob and Lynn, this was an excellent obituary--low key but thorough, interesting stories, respectful but not overly adulatory. It filled in a lot of blanks in my knowledge of Gov. Rampton, and made me wish I'd been a part of his circles and known him better. A great man.
James W. Platt | 7:40 a.m. Sept. 18, 2007
Perhaps the greatest human being I have ever been blessed to have met. I served in one of the legislative sessions, as a member of the house, while Cal was governor, and spent many hours chatting with and learning the strengths and goals of a humble and proud man. My wife and I had our first grandchild, during that period and Lucy Beth, bless her heart, was envious because at the time they had none. I will always remember her chiding my wife other that "inequity". Now, all three are gone, but the memories linger on and will always be headlined by, " LUV THE GUV".. thanks Cal for EVERYTHING....
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sob | 8:54 a.m. Sept. 18, 2007
i moved to utah in 1962, and salt lake city was the smallest city i had ever lived in. I was most aware of the small town nature and feel of both it and of utah in general. i was in high school when the "Guv" was first elected, and his son was a class mate. As part of his campaign he came and spoke to the student body and we all felt special. If one were to look back, it would be easy to say that utah existed pre Rampton and post Rampton, with a marked change in the tone and tenor of the quality of life, feeling of stature of the state and ambitiousness in expanding and growing. The changes at the U were almost unbelievable to witness. there was even a movement in 66 to "go for the winter olympics" which at the time seemed to be a shot for the moon, but typified the change in attitude about what the state was capable of. In 69, after having served with the 101st airborne in viet nam, i met with the "Guv" as an advocate for better benefits for returning veterans, requesting better education allowances or tuition assistance and found him to be very receptive and cordial, if unable to assist.
His son Tony was a classy individual as was the whole family. we are lucky to have had him,,, and only a few have been as good for the state.
R.M. | 1:14 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007
My sister used to work for Jones, Waldo... where Cal Rampton was an attorney. She filled in once in awhile as his secretary. She said he was such a nice man to work for. She respected him a lot. He once asked her to book him a seat on a flight in first class. He was almost appologetic that it was in first class and explained that because he was so tall that he didn't fit in the regular seats. I wished I had known him more.
Kerry Ross Boren | 1:42 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007
I served under Gov. Rampton as Chairman of the Governor's Commission of Historic Sites and Preservation. In addition to this, we were cousins, sharing the same great-grandfather, Thomas Schofield. We shared a lot of family history and Cal wrote the forward to my manuscript history of Butch Cassidy, Utah's legendary outlaw leader. But Cal was more than this; he was a compassionate human being. I went to prison for 23 years for a crime I did not commit, and Cal never faltered in his belief in and support of my cause for justice. Not only did he write to the Board of Pardons on several occasions in my behalf, but he and his good son Tony came to visit me in prison. That could hardly be said of any other politician. Utah lost a great governor, but I lost a great friend. God bless you, Cal, and God speed.
M. Adams | 7:17 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007
I was in high school when Cal Rampton was elected so he was my governor for many years. I had the privilege of hearing him speak a couple of times(my memory fails me now) and he was a great speaker--he told some great stories and got across some great points. My condolences to his family and to those he served.
Jay Slaughter | 5:10 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007
I was in High School when he got elected to Govenor, and it seemed like he was the peoples govenor to me. I remember many times listening to him, with his very clam demeanor which I believe made him a person for the people of Utah. I know many of my memories serve me when ever I saw him on TV He wasn't like a lot of the other politicians, with an answer that would try to please everyone. He was always straight forward and believable. I have always admired him, for the changes he believed in and stood for. Thanks for the great example and service to the people and Utah.
Jay Slaughter | 5:11 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007
I was in High School when he got elected to Govenor, and it seemed like he was the peoples govenor to me. I remember many times listening to him, with his very clam demeanor which I believe made him a person for the people of Utah. I know many of my memories serve me when ever I saw him on TV He wasn't like a lot of the other politicians, with an answer that would try to please everyone. He was always straight forward and believable. I have always admired him, for the changes he believed in and stood for. Thanks for the great example and service to the people and Utah.

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Deseret Morning News archives

On Jan. 6, 1965, Gov. Calvin L. Rampton enters the state Capitol to begin a busy day during his first week in office.

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