MT ANGEL, Ore. — Family, friends and former colleagues gathered at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Angel on Tuesday morning for a memorial service for Peter Courtney, Oregon's longest-serving state lawmaker.
"He was a larger-than-life personality. He always had a quick wit and something to say," said Phil Bentley, Courtney's former chief of staff. "When you think about Peter, you think about some of his different accomplishments legislatively, but I think what a lot of people think about his love for the institution of the legislature."
Courtney’s political career spanned nearly 50 years. He got his start on the Salem City Council in 1974, before diving into state politics in 1980. He left the Oregon House of Representatives in 1984 to run for a U.S. House seat, but returned a few years later, ultimately serving 14 years as a state representative before moving to the Senate.
He represented Marion County as an Oregon State Senator from 1999 to 2023, and served as Senate President for a record-setting 20 years, all the way up to his retirement in January 2023.
Speaking at the memorial service, Courtney's son described his father's resolute work ethic that extended through his entire career.
"My dad modeled for us the value of hard work, and I have yet to find someone who worked harder than my dad," he said.
Courtney's retirement was prompted by ongoing health concerns, and he died on July 16 from complications from cancer, at the age of 81.
Bentley said his former boss could be demanding to work for, but he deeply cared about those around him.
"He found a way to teach you life’s little lessons, and then at the end of the day or the end of the week you find yourself just sitting around the table listening to his stories, laughing and having a great time, and come back and do it again the next day," he said.
Courtney was buried at Cavalry Cemetery in Mt. Angel.