Vt. legislator dies in Florida
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By Susan Smallheer STAFF WRITER - Published: December 23, 2009
LONDONDERRY – Longtime state Rep. Richard Hube, R-Londonderry, died suddenly Monday of an aortic aneurysm while visiting family in Florida.
Hube, 61, of South Londonderry, was visiting his sister Jane, said Rep. Patti Komline, R-Dorset, House minority leader. While out walking Monday afternoon, he experienced sharp pain in one of his legs, and called his sister to come pick him up.
When they got home, Komline said, his brother-in-law, who is a doctor, ordered an ambulance, and he was taken to an area hospital, where he died.
Komline said his sister said he was joking with staff at the hospital, but that things took a turn for the worse.
Hube had recently lost more than 100 pounds, Komline said, and was enjoying hiking, skiing and playing golf, she said.
Komline said that services for Hube will be held sometime late in January. His birthdate was Jan. 31, Komline said.
Hube, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, represented many ski area towns: Stratton, Winhall, Londonderry, Weston and Jamaica. He ran a property management business at Stratton Mountain.
"Vermont has lost a great legislator, and so many Vermonters have lost a true friend. Rick had a sharp wit, a deep intelligence and a wonderful sense of humor," U.S. Rep. Peter Welch said in a statement issued Tuesday evening.
"He was a legislator who built bridges, who worked with those of every viewpoint to improve the state he loved so much," the Vermont Democrat added. "Above all, he was a man of deep principle. All of us who knew Rick were the better for it."
Hube is the second state representative to die in the past week. Rep. Ira Trombley, D-Grand Isle, died Sunday at age 57.
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