Our thanks to Lynn Bartels for posting to Facebook news of the passing of enduring and revered Colorado political figure Rich Gebhardt, who died on Feb. 13 at 85 years old.

A mover and shaker with a soft touch, Gephardt was a familiar presence at the Capitol as a lobbyist and adviser and a warrior for the Democratic Party. He was a war veteran as well as a veteran of political office and myriad campaigns – his own and others.

Read his online obituary to recap the milestones of his remarkable life.

Some of the condolences and reminiscences added to Lynn’s Facebook post said it all, from the heart, like this one from Tom Blickensderfer:

A gentleman through and through. You could come off the floor after getting the hell kicked out of you and Rich was there with a warm handshake and a big smile…”Did those Democrats give you a hard time today?”…asked Mr. Democrat himself. He had perspective, wit, brains, patience and tenacity. And he could laugh all the way home. God bless you, brother…