Former Congressman Leonard Boswell has died, prompting outpouring of memories

Barbara Rodriguez | The Des Moines Register

Former Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell, a longtime Democrat whose political career spanned decades, has died, a family spokesman confirmed Friday to the Des Moines Register.

Boswell, 84, was found unresponsive in his Decatur County home sometime after 2 a.m. Friday, according to Grant Woodard, Boswell’s former chief of staff and also a family spokesman. Boswell was flown to an undisclosed hospital in Des Moines.

Woodard said Boswell was hospitalized for complications from a form of cancer known as pseudomyxoma peritonei. It typically affects the abdomen and pelvis.

“Any prayers for the Congressman would be greatly appreciated by the family,” Woodard said in a phone interview Friday when Boswell was reported as "gravely ill."

By Friday at 5:30 p.m., Boswell had died.

“He died peacefully, with members of his family present and a few friends," Woodard said.

More: Visitation, funeral announced for former Congressman Leonard Boswell

Iconic figure in Democratic politics

Boswell had been an iconic figure in Iowa Democratic politics for a generation.

He served 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives until his defeat in 2012 to former Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Latham. The unusual race between two incumbents came after redistricting cost Iowa a House seat.

Boswell told the Register after his loss that he had no immediate plans, though he later stayed active in state government. Then-Gov. Terry Branstad appointed him in 2014 to the Iowa Transportation Commission, the seven-member policy-making arm of the Iowa Department of Transportation, and in 2015, he was elected its chair.

He also served as co-chair of the "Home Base Iowa” program, which recruits veterans to work in Iowa.

Aside from his time in Congress, Boswell served 12 years in the Iowa Senate beginning in the mid-1980s, which included a stint as chamber president.

A Vietnam veteran and helicopter pilot, he had 20 years of decorated service in the U.S. Army. He won two Bronze Stars and two Distinguished Flying Crosses among other commendations.

More: Leonard Boswell remembered as a compassionate, patriotic statesman, who loved Iowa

"He was most proud of earning the Soldier’s Medal, the highest honor a soldier can earn for saving someone’s life in a noncombat situation," according to a statement from his family.

Boswell farmed after he left the military and served on the board of directors of the local farmer’s cooperative for more than a decade.

In 2012, after his congressional loss, he said he had learned service early on in his life.

"There were times when my parents would stop what we were doing to go help a neighbor in need," he said of growing up in Ringgold and Decatur counties. "Whether it was planting or harvesting, if there was a need, we went and helped our neighbors."

Bipartisan outpouring of memories

Boswell was remembered as a proud Iowan and a statesman, who provided advice and counsel to a myriad of politicians.

"Leonard Boswell set the bar high for what it meant to be a member of Congress," said Democratic U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, who served alongside Boswell. "Leonard truly defined what it meant to serve our nation, and I am proud that I had the opportunity to serve with him."

Former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat who represented Iowa for decades, said he first met Boswell more than 30 years ago.

"As fellow veterans, and military pilots, we bonded immediately. We enjoyed a close personal and professional friendship for nearly 40 years. He was a true patriot, a strong family man, a champion for farmers, veterans, and rural citizens. He cared deeply about fairness and the common good," Harkin said.

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack told the Register Boswell was dedicated to public service and always appreciated his life in rural Iowa and America. Boswell always worked to make sure people in small towns across the country had a fair shake, he said.

"Charlotte and I had the honor of getting to know Leonard years ago, during his tenure in Congress. We were always struck by his compassionate leadership that never forgot its roots," Democratic candidate for Iowa governor Fred Hubbell said in a statement.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also sent along her condolences on Twitter late Friday.

As a decorated veteran and tireless advocate for farmers who stood up for the Affordable Care Act, Congressman Boswell will always be remembered as a champion for hard-working families, their priorities and America’s future. — Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) August 18, 2018

Republican officials also sent out fond remembrances.

U.S. Rep. David Young, an Iowa Republican, said Boswell was a friend.

Incredibly saddened to hear of Leonard Boswell’s passing. He was a true patriot and a wonderful, kind man. A selfless public servant, I and so many Iowans were proud to know him and call him a friend. — David Young (@RepDavidYoung) August 18, 2018

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds said Boswell worked with people of all parties.

“Congressman Boswell will be remembered for his many years of public service to our state and for his service to our country. He was an individual willing to reach across the aisle on many issues to make Iowa a better place," Reynolds said in a statement.

Boswell, who was drafted into the military on his twenty-second birthday, always kept fellow veterans in his thoughts, those who remembered him said.

It was because of Boswell's urging that Vilsack asked former President Barack Obama to give a formal "thank you" to Vietnam veterans during a Memorial Day service, Vilsack said.

His family said in a statement: "Of all of the numerous awards and honors he received, he was particularly humbled by being inducted to the Hall of Fame at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, where he was both a student and an instructor."

Boswell also worked in Congress to get more help for veterans who contemplate suicide after they return home. He sponsored the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, named after an Iraqi War veteran.

"His advocacy for veteran suicide prevention saves lives to this day, and we hope that all Iowa elected officials will take this moment to rededicate themselves to that cause," Iowa Democratic Party chair Troy Price said.

Funeral services are pending.

The Register's Aleksandra Ivanisevic contributed to this report.