Former Colorado senator dies at age 79

Former Sen. Bill Armstrong (R-Colo.) died Tuesday at age 79 after battling cancer for about five years.

Armstrong was a member of the Colorado state House of Representatives and a member of the Colorado senate before being elected to the U.S. house of representatives and then the senate, The Denver Post reported.

{mosads}He most recently served as the president of Colorado Christian University.

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) praised Armstrong for the work he did throughout his life.

“Our nation lost a great public servant, whose mark on Colorado and this country embodies the virtues of liberty, faith, and family,” Gardner said in a statement Wednesday.

“His booming voice, piercing gaze and love of fellow patriots will never be forgotten. So many people in Colorado were brought to conservative ideas and optimism through Senator Armstrong. The United States is a better place because of his grace, humility and boundless spirit.” 

Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) said Armstrong will be missed and commended the former senator’s accomplishments.

“When public officials leave office they often disappear and are never heard from again, but Senator Armstrong had a passion for fighting for conservative causes that started from the day when he was first elected to office in 1962 to his final days at Colorado Christian University,” he said in a statement.

My statement on the passing of former U.S. Senator Bill Armstrong. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/gWAWW2qWNX

— Rep. Mike Coffman (@RepMikeCoffman) July 6, 2016