Former Minnesota Democratic state representative and St. Louis County commissioner Tom Rukavina lost his battle with leukemia this past Monday, January 7. He was 68.
As a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for 13 terms, serving from 1987 to 2013, Tom Rukavina was described, by DFL Chairman Ken Martin, as a man “known for his honesty and his advocacy for those trying to build a better life for their families . . . there’ll never be another Tom Rukavina,” voiced Martin. “He was smart, irreverent, and there was no one more authentic.”
As a commissioner, I had the privilege to sit on a number of committees with Tom over the two years in which our terms overlapped.
Given the initial rumors bantered about concerning, what Star Tribune political reporter J. Patrick Coolican refers to as the “sometimes bombastic, stalwart defender of the Iron Range,” I had conjured up images of a barbaric descendant of Attila the Hun before actually meeting the man.
I did an about-face, however, the first time he walked into the Minnesota Discovery Center conference room in Chisholm, where he had served as a naturalist years back. He was a character short in stature with a broad chest, a pronounced Chevron mustache and a silver streaked James Dean-esque hairstyle. Gregarious, feisty and self-determined, I came to find him an individual of great wit and charm, which served him well.
Tom also had the ability to engineer a good laugh; even at his own expense. J. Patrick Coolican recalls, “During a debate about lowering the legal blood alcohol limit to 0.08, Rukavina said the new law would be unfair to Rangers because they wake up at 0.08.”
Elevated just a few inches above 5 feet, the diminutive Rukavina would deliver fiery speeches on the floor of the Minnesota House. “If he wasn’t yelling at you, he didn’t like you,” confided state Sen. David Tomassoni, D-Chisholm, who was a close friend. “He had passion for the little guy and was a giant in those kinds of fights.”
“Despite a cum laude political science degree from the University of Minnesota- Duluth, Rukavina preferred a plain-spoken and often salty style,” recalled Coolican.
As Cook County commissioner, I remember standing and conversing with longtime former St. Louis County Commissioner Steve Raukar – a man similar in height to myself at 6’ 2”– during an Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Center annual meeting. Tom walked up and eavesdropped on our conversation. After listening for a few minutes, Rukavina commented, “You guys are talking over my head.” Straight faced, I replied, “At your height Tom, that’s not hard to do.”
Rukavina was more than just a political showman,” discloses Coolican. “He knew in granular detail issues like taconite taxes and sulfate standards.” When I had a question pertaining to the Iron Range, Tom was my first “go to.” Even after I left office he was always accessible and willing to “enlighten” what he referred to as his “favorite conservative.”
Claiming to be “the political love child of Paul Wellstone and Jesse Ventura,” it was apparent Rukavina identified with the late senator and former governor’s strong independent dispositions.
I can attest to the fact that Tom was not the typical “political party” man. He voted and spoke his own conscience. He firmly believed you are either living out of conviction or out of convenience. His beliefs impacted the way he thought and the way he lived his life.
It was this trait that endeared him to me. He didn’t allow the “partisan” to pillage the genuine benefits of common bond.
This past Thanksgiving, as I was reflecting on the blessing in this life, I chose to acknowledge this common bond, and forward this Thanksgiving greeting to Tom:
November 21, 2018
Mr. Tom . . . Sir!
On the eve of Thanksgiving, I can’t help but reflect on all the good that I’ve been fortunate to know in my life. As a person looks back, there’s much to be thankful for . . . especially as old as I’ve become 🙂
Your friendship is numbered among the many blessings God has brought into my life. I have always appreciated the friendly banter, mutual respect and sense of genuine regard. Living without pretension is a gift; we are permitted to be who we are and accepted as such.
And while friends come and friends go, I will never stop being grateful for you.
Know that I continue to keep you, and all those you hold dear, in my thoughts and prayers.
Be well, my friend . . .
Former Cook County Commissioner Garry Gamble is writing this ongoing column about the various ways government works, as well as other topics.
Leave a Reply