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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Frank Henderson, a World War II Army veteran whose long career in public service included 10 years as a northern Idaho state representative, has died. He was 92.
He died Monday at a hospice facility in northern Idaho, said his wife, Betty Ann Henderson. A cause of death wasn't given.
Frank Henderson, a retired marketing executive and newspaper publisher, was elected to the Idaho House as a Republican in 2004 and served through 2014. He also served as the mayor of Post Falls and as a Kootenai County commissioner.
"He was overwhelmed to the point of almost not understanding why there was always such a nice outpouring of support for him," said his son, Tom Henderson. "A very humble man, right to the end, but very grateful for his opportunities to serve."
Frank Henderson served as Post Falls' mayor from 1979 to 1983 and as a Kootenai County commissioner from 1983 to 1990.
President Ronald Reagan invited Henderson to the White House to discuss programs for small cities, and he later invited Henderson to be his guest at the landing of the Discovery space shuttle.
From 1993 to 2004, he served in the International Executive Service Corps and helped teach governing and democracy in seven former Soviet-bloc countries, receiving a special award from President George W. Bush in 2004 for his efforts.
"Solutions have always been a part of me," Henderson said in October before being inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame.
Henderson is credited with economic development efforts that led to attracting Buck Knives, Cabela's and Kimball Office to Idaho. He also worked to establish northern Idaho's water adjudication program and co-sponsored a bill to protect an aquifer that provides the region's drinking water.
Henderson said his 10 years as a representative were among his most challenging assignments. "You have to work effectively with 104 other legislators to gain their acceptance and respect," he said.
Betty Ann Henderson declined to comment Tuesday.
In addition to his wife, Frank Henderson is survived by four children and six grandchildren.
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