Dave Frohnmayer, a former University of Oregon president who also had one of the state's most distinguished political careers, died Monday night, according to Marla Rae, a longtime friend and family spokeswoman. He was 74.

Frohnmayer died in his sleep. He had been battling prostate cancer since June 2009, Rae said, and started chemotherapy in recent weeks.

Frohnmayer was attorney general from 1981 to 1991 and was the Republican candidate for governor in 1990, losing to Democrat Barbara Roberts. He later became dean of the University of Oregon Law School, then was president of university from 1994 until his retirement in 2009.

"I am heartbroken at the loss of my wonderful and brilliant friend Dave Frohnmayer," Gov. Kate Brown said in a statement. "His deep love of Oregon is reflected in a lifetime of leadership and public service. My thoughts and prayers go out to Lynn and the Frohnmayer family at this difficult time."

University of Oregon President Scott Coltrane said in a statement that he was "honored to have witnessed how his profound collaboration and insightful vision built the University of Oregon into the top research university it is today. As a university, state and community leader, he had the ability to bring people together and build successful partnerships. That will be his lasting legacy."

His family released this statement:

Dave Frohnmayer passed away quietly in his sleep last night. He was 74.

Dave had bravely dealt with his quiet battle against prostate cancer for 5 1/2 years. We are devastated by his passing but we are grateful that his passing was peaceful.

Much of Dave's life was devoted to fighting devastating health crises that enveloped his family. These battles were complicated by the intense public attention that inevitably accompanied his lifelong commitment to public service. He was adamant that his own health issues would remain private. Except for the immediate family and Dave's closest friends, he was able to accomplish this and continue a full public schedule to the end.

The family will hold a celebration of Dave's remarkable life at a time to be announced.

Dave is survived by his wife Lynn, his sons Mark and Jonathan, his daughter Amy, his sister Mira and brother John. His daughters Kirsten and Katie and his brother Phil predeceased him.

Frohnmayer's daughters Kirsten and Katie died after battling Fanconi Anemia, a blood disease that leads to bone marrow failure. Dave and Lynn Frohnmayer founded a family support group in 1985 and helped incorporate the research fund.

Frohnmayer achieved success early in life. The son of a prominent attorney in Medford, Frohnmayer received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, a law degree at the University of California at Berkeley, and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in England.

He was an executive assistant to Robert Finch, the Health, Education and Welfare secretary in the Nixon administration, and met his wife, Lynn, a native of Grants Pass and a veteran of the Peace Corps, in Washington. The two returned to Oregon and started their family as Frohnmayer taught law at the University of Oregon.

Frohnmayer was elected to the state House in 1974 and served until he was elected attorney general in 1980. As the state's top legal official, he was known for attracting top legal talent and for personally arguing a number of cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

He seriously considered running for governor in 1986 but bowed out because of his daughters' health. By 1990, Frohnmayer's family agreed that he should get in the race.

Frohnmayer prepared to challenge incumbent Democrat Neil Goldschmidt, but the latter eventually decided not to run again. Frohnmayer was initially the favorite against Roberts, then the secretary of state. But she ran a canny campaign and Frohnmayer lost support on his right flanks to Al Mobley, an anti-abortion candidate who was backed by the Oregon Citizens Alliance.

Katie Frohnmayer died in 1991 at the age of 12 of complications from Fanconi Anemia. Kirsten Frohnmayer died in 1997 at 24 of a lung disease following a bone marrow transplant.

Frohnmayer became dean of the University of Oregon Law School in 1992 and two years later was appointed president of the university.

He was known for his fundraising prowess and forged a close working partnership with Nike co-founder Phil Knight, who played the key role in financing the athletic facilities that helped transform the school into one of the top college football powers in the country.

--Jeff Mapes

503-221-8209

@Jeffmapes