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With all that's going on at the state capitol in the last few weeks, I have been reflecting on how things have changed since I started to become involved in political football. Part of this reflection comes from the death of former State Senator Dick Kreul last week.

I have a special place in my life for Dick because not only was he our state senator but he was a good friend. He defeated an incumbent senator when he was elected in 1978 and served until 1991, when he resigned mid-term to take a political appointment in the Thompson administration. Prior to his election he was a farmer, real estate broker and served on the Fennimore School Board.

Dick was replaced in the senate by current State Senator Dale Schultz. In 32 years the 17th Senate District has only been represented by two people, which in itself is a feat.

I first met Dick when I was in high school and for some reason he decided he liked this farm kid from Cobb who was intrigued by politics. He invited me to the state capitol to spend the day with him and see how things operate. It totally fascinated me and the one day led me to spend many days with him at his office or on the road. During his term in office, I can't even count the hours I spent at the capitol. Even after I went to school and started working, we always stayed in touch or if I had a free day, I'd head to Madison.

I'd watch from the gallery and marvel when the senate was in session. A few times afterwards I'd go with Dick and socialize outside the capitol with him and other senators. Dick always said once the session was over it didn't matter if you were a Democrat or Republican.

Dick wasn't an ideologue and firmly believed constituent services were first and foremost. He served his entire time in the senate in the minority, but was able to accomplish a lot because he reached across the aisle. His passion was getting a Highway 18/151 four lane from Madison to Dubuque, something he lived to see accomplished.

He was on the transportation projects commission and was influential in getting a lot of roads in the district upgraded. He worked on many agriculture related issues. He was also one of the first at the scene after the Barneveld tornado making sure state government was doing all it could. Being able to accomplish all he did in the minority is something unheard of today.

It was also through Dick that I made many life-long friends in the political scene including Brian Schimming, who now hosts a radio talk show and is one of the top strategists in the state Republican party. He got his start as a legislative assistant to Dick.

Last weekend when I notified Schimming that Dick had died, he referred to Dick as a "walking rolodex." He said Dick was always concerned about constituent services. Schimming said it was funny because if Dick didn't know the constituent he would know the guy's cousin, brother-in-law or some relation.

I haven't seen Dick in a long time, but after he retired from public service, he would stop by the newspaper when he was in the area to see me. His first comments were usually about me losing more hair or packing on more pounds and we'd have a few laughs at each other's expense. Then we'd talk family, politics or current events.

I ask myself with everything currently going on at the state level, "What would Dick say or do?"