Former Alaska Rep. Russ Meekins, Jr., passed Sunday at his home in Sandwich, Mass. He was 71.
Meekins served four terms in the Alaska House during the 1970s. including as majority leader in his final term.
Meekins was a Democrat and a key player in two major events of the historic 12th Alaska State Legislature: The overthrow of the House speaker (Democrat Jim Duncan) and the expulsion of Sen. George Hohman following a bribery conviction.
In 1981, Hohman, a Democrat, was accused of accepting a bribe to get state money for a water-bomber aircraft for fighting forest fires. He was also charged with attempting to bribe Meekins to assist him.
Hohman was found guilty of felonious bribery and receiving a bribe and was sentenced to 3 years in prison with two years suspended and fined $30,000.
According to sources familiar with the events, Meekins became cross threaded with the Democrat political establishment after that and eventually left Alaska, even though he had deep roots in the state.
“Russ came from a family that placed public service above all else,” said Gov. Mike Dunleavy in a statement. “His father served in the 1st Alaska Legislature and he followed in his footsteps as a legislator and remained committed to public policy for decades after leaving office. Rose and I wish to extend our sympathies to his friends and family here in Alaska and back in Massachusetts.”
Meekins was uncle to Tim Sullivan, who wrote about his live on Facebook.
“Russ was bigger than life, he was full of enthusiasm to be wherever he was and enjoy it to the fullest, until it was time to go and move on to the next place that needed to be enjoyed to the fullest. Russ played an important part in our family and played an important part in my life. He leaves a hole that cannot be filled. He will be missed,” Sullivan wrote.
Governor Dunleavy ordered the Alaska state flag to be flown at half-staff in honor of Meekins on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
I counted Russ Meekins as a friend for more than 40 years. We first met in 1976 when I came to Juneau as the capital correspondent for The Associated Press and he was a member of the legislature. I left Alaska 20 years later to work with Russ with the Andersen Consulting government strategy practices. Over the ensuing years, we worked closely on many engagements. He was a brilliant strategist, a devoted father and a good friend. My life won’t be the same without him.
RIP Russ
RIP Rusty. We lived two houses away.
Russ was a lifelong friend. RIP Russ ! Our prayers are with his family and friends ?? Jerry Ward
In my 28 years of knowing Russ, he meant many things to me. When I first got to know him, he served as a terrific mentor to me and helped to change the trajectory of my professional career. Over the years as strategy consulting colleagues, we worked side-by-side on a multitude of important engagements and learned to leverage each others strengths and skills while building a great professional bond. In the end, however, and most importantly, Russ was my friend. He lived a large life, full of vivacity, energy and continuous discovery. Even in down periods, he remained positive and optimistic. He was a brilliant strategist, thoughtful and caring father, and all-around good person. I will miss his infectious enthusiasm. As we did on many work occasions, I raise a dry vodka martini in his honor and memory. Cheers good friend, RIP.
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