Like so many elected officials, Hugh McKean wasn’t a household name among rank-and-file voters. But the Republican House minority leader, who died unexpectedly Sunday at home of an apparent heart attack, was revered among his colleagues in both parties at the Legislature and throughout much of state government.

That’s no small feat even in the best of times. And these aren’t the best of times. Certainly not in politics.

Divisive to the point of being acrimonious, the country’s political climate – and Colorado’s along with it – is at the boiling point. Partisanship is as intense as it ever has been; campaign rhetoric incites voters to see the very worst in officeholders and office seekers.

In the midst of all that, Hugh McKean was a breath of fresh air.

As noted throughout this week’s media coverage of the 55-year-old McKean’s untimely passing, he seemed to possess a special capacity for putting other politicians at ease. He did so through humor and goodwill and a skill for setting aside differences in search of agreement. The jovial and kindly McKean was a natural at making friends.

To say the least, he kept his ego in check – an uncommon characteristic in the political realm.

Even in our state’s modest, part-time, “citizen Legislature” – where members serve in relative obscurity and, you’d think, in humility – every fresh crop of newly elected lawmakers includes a number of young up-and-comers who burn with ambition.

They hunger for higher office, positioning themselves accordingly. They pick the bills they carry for their political value. They jockey constantly with one another at the podium for maximum media coverage.

In stark contrast, McKean entered politics to pursue good policy and represent the interests of his constituents. From the time he was elected to the Loveland City Council in 2009 through his election to the state House of Representatives in 2016, and up to his passing last weekend, he approached public office as a way to serve others rather than promote himself.

Hence, the outpouring of tribute from the Capitol’s political players. Democratic House Speaker Alec Garnett might have said it best:

“We will miss his kindness, the joy that he brought to the Capitol every day, and the care that he showed every person he ever met. Hugh was the very definition of a statesman – a genuinely nice guy who always wanted the best for our state and his constituents. His integrity and the deep respect with which he treated every member of the House were a model for every lawmaker he worked with.”

McKean’s passing is a loss for the state and, above all, of course, a heavy blow to his grieving loved ones. We extend our heartfelt prayers to them.

But this moment also has served to bring together parties and politicians who are usually at war – giving them an opportunity to pause their agendas and take stock. It might even inspire some of them to emulate McKean more often. And that would be uplifting.

Denver Gazette Editorial Board