The most important Oregonian most people have never heard of passed away earlier this month. Even though I knew Monroe would soon be leaving us, and even had quite a lucid farewell conversation with him shortly before, it's still hard to believe that he is gone.

Here's a man whose lifespan of active political life stretched from the Hoover administration to George Bush the second. Monroe engaged in every single important political debate of our times from economics to foreign-policy to civil rights: He was in Indonesia, during the year of living dangerously; was one of the most powerful men in Oregon during the Truman administration as a Democratic national committeeman for a Democratic administration when every elected leader was Republican; and, he had tremendous influence on appointments and policy decisions from judicial appointments and personnel decisions to policy direction. He was a journalist, an educator, and a politician but most of all a passionate advocate for making the world a better place.

From the time I first met Monroe Sweetland as a college student directing Oregon's campaign to lower the voting age, he was a steady presence in my political life and development. He always provided me good, sound advice, gentle but firm encouragement and tremendous support.

He knew everyone who had made a difference in his party for three quarters of a century. Monroe earned the respect and affection of principled opponents, including Senator Mark Hatfield who defeated Monroe when they ran against each other for Oregon Secretary of State in 1956. It was great to hear and feel the respect these two Oregon giants had for one another, and one hopes that someday that can come back into fashion.

As recently as 1998, Monroe ran for the state Senate mounting a close campaign against Verne Duncan, a longtime incumbent. To the end, Monroe conducted his campaign, as his entire career, with civility and affection, being able to point out differences with precision and civility that made people feel good about politics.

Most of all, Monroe was tireless and effective. He was gentle and kind but resolute in what he believed in. He was a fierce partisan fighting for his party, his candidates, and his country but never approaching, let alone crossing the line in the 37 years that I knew him. He was unstinting in his beliefs but never cruel or unkind in his judgments.

The sadness on his passing is tempered by the knowledge of his rich and full life and that thousands of Oregonians and people around the country are the better for his friendship and his life's work.