[R]ep. Robert Forguites, D-Springfield, died unexpectedly in his sleep over the weekend. He was 80.
Speaker Mitzi Johnson announced his death to the House Tuesday morning. She said it was the most difficult announcement she’s ever made from the floor.
“In this building, he was known for being incredibly steady,” Johnson said. “He never got ruffled, never got angry, never got super excited, but was always incredibly steady, incredibly positive, and mostly spent his time listening — deeply and carefully and respectfully.”
Forguites was serving his third term when he died, having first been elected to the House in 2014. Prior to that, he served as Springfield’s town manager for 16 years and comptroller for four years. He also had a long career in banking, and served in the U.S. Army during the Berlin crisis, the Cuban missile crisis and the early Vietnam war era.
Johnson said Forguites’ ability to listen and compromise is something Vermont could use a lot more of.
“I think he represented Vermont incredibly well,” she said, “with his few words, with his willingness and desire to compromise, and with his goal of always keeping Vermonters and the people that he grew up with here in this state right at the forefront of all of his decisions.”
She spoke of a devotional that Forguites gave in 2016 about the Vermont he wanted to see.
“I dream of the day when all of the issues discussed in this building will be settled in a manner that is good for all of the people of the state of Vermont and not necessarily what is good for us individually or our political affiliation,” Forguites said. “You may say those are just dreams and dreams don’t come true. All I can say is whoever would have thought that I would be standing here today speaking in front of you? So I invite you, come and dream with me. If we dream and work together, who knows what great and wonderful things we might accomplish.”
Johnson said though there were times she and Forguites disagreed, she always respected his work.
“He really knew where he stood, and he knew what he wanted to bring home to the people of Springfield, and he had really strong feelings about the best ways to make sure that children were taken care of, that Vermonters were fed, that people were housed that folks had decent jobs,” Johnson said. “He did his best to make sure to that all of those ideals that he carried came through in his votes, even when it wasn’t the popular thing to do at the time, and I deeply respect them for that.”
Gov. Phil Scott put out a statement saying he was sad to learn of Forguites’ death.
“I join with Bob’s fellow legislators and constituents in mourning this loss,” Scott said. “Bob will be remembered for his dedication to the people of Springfield — for both his many years in local government and for his time in the Vermont House of Representatives — as well as his service for all Americans during his tenure in the U.S. Army. In the Statehouse, Bob always put his constituents first and was known for his independent voice. His years of service are greatly appreciated, and my thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Johnson said she isn’t sure whether Forguites’ seat will be filled before the end of the session. She said Springfield’s Town Democratic Committee needs to first get together and make recommendations for a replacement, then present a list to the governor, who will ultimately choose someone to appoint to Forguites’ seat.
She said for now, she’s not concerned about the loss politically, despite several upcoming votes that are expected to be very close, such as paid family leave legislation that may need to override a gubernatorial veto.
“The paid family leave bill did pass on a very strong vote,” Johnson said. “It’s going to get worked on in the Senate, and you still have to talk to the governor’s office. So we have a lot of steps yet left for paid family leave. So no, not concerned at the moment.”
Johnson said details of memorial services have not yet been determined, but that there will be a moment of silence for him on the floor Friday.
“He had a beautiful calmness to him,” Johnson said. “He was very hardworking, very diligent, really terrific sense of humor. Always a really gentle smile and, yeah, everywhere — including Vermont — needs a lot more reps like Bob.”
