Harold L. Volkmer, a 10-term Democratic congressman from northeast Missouri, has died. He was 80.
The James O'Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal. Mo., says Volkmer died there Saturday after several bouts of pneumonia.
Volkmer served in the Missouri Legislature before being elected to Congress in 1976. He served on several House committees, including Judiciary and Agriculture, and chaired the Agriculture Subcommittee on Small Farms and Forests.
Sen. Thomas Eagleton nicknamed Volkmer "The Roadrunner" for his tirelessness.
Volkmer's wife, Shirley, died in 1995, and in 1996, he lost his re-election bid to Republican Kenny Hulshof.
"Harold Volkmer was a man of great passion whose dedication to public service and to the people of the 9th District serve as an example to me of how to be an effective member of Congress," current 9th District Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, a Republican, said. "Harold was both a statesmen and gentleman, and will be sorelyc missed by the people of the 9th District."
Volkmer married Dian Poole Sprenger in 1997 and she survives, along with three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.