‘Thank you, Hank’

With longtime senator stricken with cancer, many offer their appreciation for Hank Coe

Posted 1/21/21

U.S. senators, the governor, state lawmakers, county commissioners and others gathered this week to honor Hank Coe’s lifetime of public service, painfully aware that lifetime could soon come to an end.

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‘Thank you, Hank’

With longtime senator stricken with cancer, many offer their appreciation for Hank Coe

Posted

U.S. senators, the governor, state lawmakers, county commissioners and others gathered this week to honor Hank Coe’s lifetime of public service, painfully aware that lifetime could soon come to an end.

After more than four decades of representing Park County — first as a commissioner and then as a state legislator — Coe was supposed to be enjoying retirement in 2021. But last year, as his eighth and final term in the Wyoming Senate came to a close, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And so, at the Park County Courthouse and online, friends and fellow elected officials lined up on Tuesday to offer Coe their thanks.

“Hank had a calling to serve; he took that calling and he ran with it,” said U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., reading remarks that he and fellow Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis, will put into the Congressional Record. “His life’s work has made a difference in the lives of the people in Park County and in every corner of our great state.”

Barrasso said Coe’s service “will have a profound impact on our state for generations.”

Park County commissioners organized Tuesday’s tribute to the longtime Cody lawmaker. Led by Commissioner Joe Tilden, they passed a resolution recognizing his continuing commitment to the community and declaring his 75th birthday, April 29, as “Hank Coe Day.”

Coe was not well enough to attend the meeting, though he watched it online, while his family members accepted the honors on his behalf.

“I asked him what he wanted me to say today and he said, ‘Tell them I don’t deserve it,’” Coe’s brother, Bob, relayed to laughter, “and then he said, ‘Tell them I’m really grateful and thankful for such a prestigious honor.’”

Those who spoke at Tuesday’s meeting, whether by Zoom or in person, had no doubts about Coe’s worthiness.

Former state Rep. David Northrup of Powell, who co-chaired the education committee with Coe, became choked up as he spoke about his mentor and friend.

“I think that Hank Coe’s probably as much of Park County as anybody can be,” Northrup said.

While Coe is best known for the 32 years he served in the State Senate, he also served two terms as a county commissioner, spent 23 years on the Cody Volunteer Fire Department (including two as its chief) and assisted organizations like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the Cody Medical Foundation and Yellowstone Regional Airport.

“Hank is Cody’s probably biggest supporter and cheerleader, if you will,” said Bob Coe. “And if we had issues with Yellowstone or the Forest Service or the governor, he was the first to stand up and say, ‘Let me make some calls.’ And he did it unselfishly for Cody and the state of Wyoming also. … He was just that sort of guy.”

U.S. Sen. Lummis, another former colleague from the Wyoming Legislature, described Coe “as one of the most steady hands and solid leaders over many issues and many years. That kind of solid, stalwart Wyoming leadership should be cherished.”

“Hank Coe is one of those truly exceptional Wyoming people,” Lummis said.

Gov. Mark Gordon offered up similar praise. He noted Coe’s work to improve the state’s investments and commercial air service, but, like several others, highlighted the lawmaker’s role in the creation of Wyoming’s Hathaway Scholarship program. The merit-based program has helped thousands of students attend the state’s community colleges and the University of Wyoming since 2005.

“There is a legacy there that will never be forgotten,” Gordon said, adding that “every child in Wyoming will grow up recognizing that Wyoming cared because Hank Coe was there and Hank Coe made their life a little better.”

State Sen. R.J. Kost, R-Powell, former Commissioner Bucky Hall and Cody Mayor Matt Hall all shared their appreciation for the mentoring Coe provided them.

“He was very, very thoughtful and a sincere legislator and a really good friend,” Mayor Hall said.

Commissioner Scott Mangold recalled Coe sharing not only legislative advice, but also whiskey and cigars.

“I miss that, Hank,” Mangold said.

New state Sen. Ed Cooper, R-Ten Sleep, said he knows he and Coe’s replacement, Sen. Tim French, R-Powell, “have some massive shoes to fill” and would do their best to make Coe proud.

“We can all be proud of what he did for Park County and the state,” French said. “His heart was always with Park County.”

After Commission Chairman Lee Livingston offered one final thank you, the audience rose for a standing ovation, turning toward the video camera where they knew Coe was watching.

Coe died on Thursday at the age of 74.

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