Former House Education and the Workforce Committee Chair Bill Goodling (R-PA) died at the age of 89 last week. Penn Hill Group Principals Vic Klatt and D’Arcy Philps have worked for Rep. Goodling as GOP staff director for the Committee and as a professional staff member for the Committee, respectively. Upon learning of his passing, Vic was filled with a profound sense of loss and wrote an article in his memory, thanking him for his service, mentorship and friendship.

The full article, entitled “Vic Klatt Remembers Bill Goodling — a Teacher, Mentor, and Congressman Who Championed Local Control of Education” and published by The 74, can be found here. Below are some excerpts from the article.

“I’ve worked with or around Congress for nearly my whole professional life and, to be truthful, at times it’s been more than a little discouraging. Too much palace intrigue; not enough working together to get things done.”

“Mr. Goodling ignored — and often laughed at — all the political craziness that swirled around him and instead always focused on the job at hand. He was a traditional Midwestern fiscal conservative who got along with his neighbors and constituents from all political stripes.”

“He loved people, and had an especially soft spot for his staff, who — like me — he stayed in touch with long after they and he moved on.”

“He was very much like a favorite uncle — always there when you needed him, interested in the details of your life, and loved needling people when the opportunity arose. I think he particularly enjoyed giving me a hard time for my lack of punctuation skills in letters and documents I put together for his review. Once a teacher, always a teacher!”

“So rest in peace, Mr. Goodling. Thank you for your service to your country. Speaking selfishly, thanks for being such a great boss, mentor, and friend. Even in these tough political times, your legacy will preserve my enduring faith in institutions like public schools and Congress.”