Representative Jim Oberstar
Northern Minnesota residents were shocked and saddened to wake to the news on Saturday, May 3, 2014, that former U.S. Congressman James Oberstar, 79 years old, had passed away in his sleep at his home in Potomac, Maryland.
Representative Oberstar was in the Cook County News-Herald frequently during his 36-year career as Minnesota’s 8th District representative and before that, his 12 years of service in U.S. Representative John Blatnik’s office. The Chisholm, Minnesota native had close ties to the Northland and there were few of his constituents who didn’t know the congressman well enough to call him “Jim.”
All who knew him were shocked, as Representative Oberstar was an avid bicyclist and always incredibly active. In a statement, the family said the cause of death was unknown.
As word of the congressman’s passing spread, the sharing of memories began. Cook County residents—Democratic and Republican alike— recalled the work that Oberstar had done for the Arrowhead. Constituents remembered his visits in times of crisis— after the July 1999 blowdown and the Ham Lake wildfire. People remember visits at happier times as well—to serve as guest speaker at an Arrowhead Electric Cooperative annual meeting, to celebrate the opening of the Cross River Heritage Center or to tour Hedstrom Lumber on its 75th anniversary.
Congressman Jim Oberstar walked the talk. Over Memorial Day weekend 2007, Congressman Oberstar toured Cook County, seeing for himself the devastation of the Ham Lake wildfire. With the scorched hillside on the north side of Gunflint Lake in the background, Oberstar visited with Bruce Kerfoot (left) and Lee Kerfoot about getting help in restoring telephone service to the Gunflint Trail.
The congressman could be seen every year at the Gitchi Gami North Shore Bike Ride, promoting the trail that he so strongly supported. In a visit to Grand Marais in July 2007, he happily predicted that said in a few years, the trail would reach from Duluth to Grand Marais. “I think it will be the most spectacular trail, with amazing views of our rugged coastline,” said Oberstar proudly.
Even after losing his congressional seat in 2010, Oberstar maintained his close ties to the Arrowhead. If anything, Northlanders saw more of him as he enjoyed a working retirement. He was in Schroeder in 2012 at the dedication of the new location for Father Baraga Cross. He crisscrossed the state in support of the Safe Routes to School program. In September 2013, Oberstar joined Cook County children at the Moving Matters Active Living Summit, “driving” a cardboard school bus on a walk to school.
Oberstar spent a lot of time campaigning for his friend and colleague Rick Nolan, who won back the U.S. congressional seat for the DFL in 2013. Representative Nolan issued a statement expressing his sadness at losing, “my friend, my mentor and my hero.”
Nolan recalled a visit Oberstar made to the floor of the House of Representatives last year. “When he was spied walking into that historic place, Democrats and Republicans alike stood up and cheered for a great bipartisan leader and friend.”
Other politicians, President Barack Obama, Governor Mark Dayton, Senator Al Franken, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and many others expressed their sorrow.
Locally, Oberstar was remembered by people like Grand Portage Tribal Chair Norman Deschampe, who said, “I think what we really liked about Jim is that he always made time for us, whether visiting here or in Washington, D.C.
“He seemed to take a special interest in the Grand Portage National Monument. I think he genuinely cared about the concerns of Grand Portage,” said Deschampe.
Deschampe said he marveled at Oberstar’s memory for names and details. “The big thing though, was that he was always open, always willing to listen.”
Bruce Kerfoot, owner of Gunflint Lodge agreed that Congressman Oberstar was always approachable, especially during the tumultuous times when the lines were being drawn for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. “He championed our needs and concerns and attempted to find solutions. He did his best for us—we headquartered in his office when we were in Washington, D.C.
“He sat down and talked to us about the reality of what he could—and couldn’t do. He understood the dynamics of the environmental coalition that was stacked against us. He said we’d have to have motor restrictions here and there. He did his best for us. If it weren’t for Jim, we wouldn’t have much of a county.
“He was incredibly knowledgeable in resources management. He was well versed in the airport issue. He was probably one of the smartest people we’ve ever had in the legislature,” said Kerfoot.
“Jim was one of the few politicians that would actually come up and connect with us. He was the kind of guy you could sit down and visit with,” recalled Kerfoot.
Or go fishing with, although Kerfoot added that Jim’s wife Jean was the better angler. Jean caught more of the fish that would be enjoyed during shore lunches. “But he understood the tonic, the value, of sitting by a campfire, balancing a plate of walleye,” said Kerfoot.
“We didn’t agree on everything, but we could sit and talk about things,” said Kerfoot.
A memorial was held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Potomac, Maryland on Thursday, May 8. No plans have been announced for services in Minnesota, but numerous tributes have been offered across the state. Minnesota legislators gathered for a memorial at the Capitol in St. Paul on May 8.
And a meaningful tribute took place in Duluth as the Great Lakes ship bearing the congressman’s name, the Hon. James L. Oberstar entered the Port of Duluth on May 8. As the ship’s bow neared the Aerial Lift Bridge, the ship’s master sounded a full, formal Interlake Fleet Salute in honor of Representative Oberstar.
According to the Interlake Steamship Company, the Fleet Salute is two long blasts, followed by three short. And, as is maritime tradition, the bridge returned the salute.
A fitting tribute for the man who dedicated his life to improving our state and our nation’s infrastructure.
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar noted that work in her statement on Congressman Oberstar’s passing. She wrote, “Every miner should remember his work to keep the mines open and make them safer. Every American who bikes the Minnesota bike trails, hikes the Lake Superior trail, and drives our national highways and bridges should remember Jim today.”
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