Bob Garton represented a generation of Indiana political leaders who believed public service was about institutions, relationships and steady leadership. My first memory of him goes back to the early 1970s, when he was a newly elected state senator representing a district that included the Franklin area. I was just getting started in radio broadcasting at the time.

One day, Garton called the radio station while I was on the air. We began talking, and I asked if he would like to continue the conversation live on the broadcast. He agreed, and it became one of the first live interviews I ever conducted with an elected official.

By the late 1970s, I was working as morning news anchor and reporter for WCSI Radio in Columbus, Indiana, where Garton lived and represented the area in the Indiana Senate. Over the years, I came to know him well through many conversations and interviews.

Even after he rose to become Senate President Pro Tem — the top leadership position in the Indiana Senate — Garton never lost touch with the people back home. He made it clear to me that while his status at the Statehouse had changed, his commitment to Columbus and his district had not. He always made himself available to answer questions or discuss issues affecting his constituents.

Early in his legislative career, Garton became known as a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Although the amendment ultimately failed, his support reflected a broader effort throughout his career to elevate the role of women in Indiana politics and government.

Bob Garton was not an easy political figure to define in simple partisan terms. The description that seemed to fit him best was “institutionalist conservative.” He believed deeply in the role and traditions of government institutions and was widely respected for his integrity and ethical standards.

Garton served more than three decades in the Indiana Senate and was credited with expanding the authority and influence of the Senate President Pro Tem position. His long tenure made him one of the most influential figures in Indiana state government during his era.

His political career came to an end in 2006 when he lost a Republican primary to a younger challenger, closing the chapter on a remarkable run in public office.

Bob Garton died earlier this month at the age of 92. He left a lasting mark on both the State of Indiana and his adopted hometown of Columbus.

I have many fond memories of Bob Garton over the years, and my thoughts are with his family and friends.