Former Missouri governor, US Senator Kit Bond dies at 86
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A longtime politician from the state of Missouri has ed away.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced on Tuesday morning that former U.S. Senator and Missouri Governor Christopher S. “Kit” Bond died at the age of 86.
“Kit Bond was a skilled statesman, public servant, and a man who truly loved Missouri,” Kehoe stated. “I am blessed to have known Kit and honored to call him a friend and a mentor.”
He served a second term from 1981-85.
After his run as Missouri’s top politician, Bond was elected as a U.S. Senator in 1986. He was a Senator until 2011.
“His legacy as a ‘favorite son’ to his beloved State of Missouri lives on through all he achieved for his home state. Kit touched the lives of so many men and women throughout his career, and today I them in grieving the loss of a good man,” Kehoe added. “Just as they will miss their friend and mentor, so will I. On behalf of all Missourians, Claudia and I share our deepest condolences and offer our prayers for his wife Linda, his son Sam, and the entire Bond family.”
Despite being in different political parties, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver says Bond was a true friend.
“He called me every single year on my birthday. I expected it,” Cleaver said. “He was struggling but our friendship never struggled.”
To Rep. Alford, Bond was a mentor and a friend.
“Most politicians during a parade, they walk slowly and maybe hand out a few pieces of candy,” Alford said. “[Bond] would zig zag and run across the road trying to shake as many hands as possible. I copied that from Kit Bond.”
Bond was born in St. Louis and grew up in Mexico, Missouri. He leaves behind his wife (Linda), son (Sam) and two children.
Kansas City’s former Paseo Bridge, the Christopher S. Bond Bridge over the Missouri River, is named after the late governor.
A state memorial service will be held May 20 in the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda. The service will start at 12 p.m.
A celebration of life is scheduled for May 22. It will be held at ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church in St. Louis. The service will begin at 1 p.m.
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