The man who went on to modernize state government, invent Utah's economic and tourism development model and renovate and expand college and university campuses died Sunday night of complications from cancer. He was 93.

"He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family," said his son, Tony Rampton. "He was lucid and conversational until nearly the very end."

Rampton visited with family members throughout the day Sunday, his son said. He slipped into unconsciousness about an hour before he died.

Former first lady Norma Matheson, whose late husband Scott was Rampton's hand-picked successor, said she and her son Scott Jr. visited Rampton on Friday "and we had a great time. We talked for about a half-hour, mostly about politics, of course."

He is remembered not only for his accomplishments as a government leader, but for a steadfast integrity and honesty viewed by many as uncommon in today's political environment. And he is known for the endearing partnership he had with his wife, Lucybeth, whom he honored both in his speeches and writings as a guiding force in his life.

"Cal Rampton brought an intelligence and integrity to the political landscape that everyone respected," said Pat Shea, former chairman of the Utah Democratic Party and a one-time gubernatorial candidate. "When he made a decision, there was no question that he believed it was the best decision for the state, not for political expediency or a vested economic interest."

Elected in 1964, Rampton broke a 16-year Republican grip on Utah's statehouse and secured a Democratic stronghold that would last through his 12 years in office and another eight years under Matheson.

"Calvin L. Rampton was by any measurement Utah's most accomplished governor," said his longtime friend and former Salt Lake Tribune Publisher Jack Gallivan. "His personality, vision, and leadership brought about bipartisan government to dramatically advance the social, cultural and economic welfare of the state. Utah has lost its favorite son."

Rampton said in a recent interview that he became a Democrat "at the knee of my maternal grandfather, who would hold me on his lap and tell me the virtues of low tariffs. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I knew I loved it."

His attraction to the party that would eventually honor him as its greatest leader was enhanced by the influence of his Davis High School debate teacher, Frank Muir, who taught him to speak directly to his audience by flinging pieces of chalk at his forehead every time he looked away.

After he was elected as the part-time Davis County attorney in 1938, Rampton lost bids for the state Senate in 1940, 1948 and 1952, as well as bids for state Democratic Party chairman and Democratic national committeeman during the 1950s. He tried for the U.S. Senate in 1962 and lost in the Democratic primary.

His political activity began when he was in his 20s as an aide to Rep. Will Robinson, D-Utah, in Washington, D.C., where he met Lucybeth Cardon, a legal secretary.

They married in 1940 after he earned his law degree at the University of Utah even as he served as Davis County attorney and ran Robinson's Utah field office.

Rampton's law and political career, as well as his family life, were interrupted when the United States entered World War II and Rampton was activated by the Army as a second lieutenant. He worked mostly for the Judge Advocates Office, but eventually went to France, the scene of a memorable story:

"There was a small airfield near Beauvais, and as the Battle of the Bulge was winding down after Christmas the Germans . . . dropped a great number of parachutists around the area. Therefore, we all had to answer with passwords at the various checkpoints." When Rampton couldn't remember the password, a sentry ''brought his gun up and said, 'What's Blondie's husband's name.' I told him I couldn't remember. But he eats those big sandwiches. The sentry laughed and let me pass.''

In France he also ran into his childhood friend Max Rich, who later would be one of his most trusted advisers when he was governor. Rich was leading a battalion toward the Battle of the Bulge, but took time to visit Rampton's quarters "where we drank champagne and sang old Davis High School songs."

During his campaign for governor, Rampton assembled a group of advisers his wife dubbed "the back-yard mafia," who'd sit around his swimming pool and devise strategies. After a particular vicious attack against Rampton in fliers distributed by an anonymous group a week before the 1964 election, some of his advisers wanted to respond in kind.

Rampton considered it, but said his son Tony "was aghast that I would even think of such a thing."

In the end, his campaign did not go negative. "And I'm glad we didn't do it," he wrote in his memoir, As I Recall.

After he took office, the "back-yard mafia," gathered a group of about 30 "bright young Democrats" who met with Rampton every evening to build an agenda. He credited that group for his ability to get most of what he wanted through his first legislative session in 1965.

After his three terms, Rampton resumed his private law practice where he worked mostly in corporate law. He continued to work at the law firm of Jones, Waldo, Holbrook and McDonough - except for Fridays, his golf day - well into his 80s.

He also continued to hold court as a valued political mentor for a new generation of Democrats.

The closest thing to a scandal in Rampton's administration involved allegations that the Utah Liquor Commission improperly used its inventories of alcohol for personal use. One commissioner was indicted, but was acquitted at trial.

"When a reporter confronted Rampton at his monthly news conference, stating, "Isn't it true you improperly served alcohol at the Governor's Mansion?" Rampton replied: "Yep. It won't happen again."

"Rampton proved that even if there is a potential scandal, there is a window of escape if you are honest," Shea said. "You see politicians today, even when they are innocent, go through these lawyerlike contortions to get out of something that looks embarrassing. They've lost the Rampton rotor of integrity."

Rampton's blunt honesty and the compassion he and his wife Lucybeth exhibited endeared him most to his acquaintances and constituents both during and after his tenure in office.

Matheson used to tell this story: Jimmy Carter, who had been the governor of Georgia, was running for president. Asked what he thought of Carter, Rampton replied that he was one of the five worst governors he had served with.

The quote went on the national news wire and Carter heard about it. He called Rampton and said: "Cal, did you really say that about me?"

After a pause, Rampton said, "Yes, Jimmy, I did. But I didn't know reporters were there."

prolly@sltrib.com

What others are saying

Officials from Utah and the nation reflect on former Gov. Rampton:

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. "Governor Rampton set the benchmark for modern-day governors. His leadership and service brought enormous success and pride to the people of Utah. We all are beneficiaries of his legacy."

Former Salt Lake Tribune Publisher Jack Gallivan:

"Calvin Rampton was Utah's only full three-term governor and by any measurements its most accomplished. The Salt Palace was blue-printed, funded and constructed during Rampton's administration. He was the prime mover in the organization of the first Winter Olympics bid. Indeed, he was the prime mover of Utah's present day huge prosperity."

"Through a number of initiatives, he put Utah on a course of determining its own destiny, rather than letting outsiders set the agenda."

Former Gov. Norm Bangerter:

"Cal Rampton was the first one to aggressively go out and promote the state. We tried to emulate that - to go out and push the idea that we're a good place, not a backwater."

Health and Human Services Secretary and former Gov. Mike Leavitt:

"Utah won't be the same without him; but it is clearly better because of him."

Former U.S. Sen. Jake Garn:

"He and his wife were just great human beings and I appreciated our relationship. It's unfortunate that in politics there aren't more of those types of relationships."

Former Idaho Gov. and U.S. Secretary of Interior Cecil Andrus:

"He was generous with his wisdom and his advice. During times with Cal, coalitions were more philosophical. They didn't seem to have the partisan rancor we seem to have today.

Rep. Rob Bishop:

"I remember sitting in his office once, many years after his service as governor, and just listening to him tell stories about politics and his years as governor and of how it was in the good old days. He was very articulate and personable. "

Former Gov. Olene Walker:

"Cal was a true statesman even though he was a shrewd politician. He cared more about the future of Utah than his political partisanship."

Sen. Orrin Hatch:

"He made friends from both sides of the aisle, and you could always count on him to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. "

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson:

"Cal brought to Utah politics, and to his personal relationships, a rich mixture of intelligence, a sharp wit, and tenacious commitment to principle."

Sen. Bob Bennett:

"I had enormous respect for his professionalism and competence. Utah has lost one its finest public servants."

Michael K. Young, president of the University of Utah:

"A tireless advocate for improving the lives of young people in Utah, Governor Rampton established the Board of Regents, which enabled our system of higher education to flourish. He also was responsible for the first statewide bond to modernize state buildings at higher education facilities. The young people in Utah have never had a better friend than Governor Rampton."

Calvin L. Rampton

November 6, 1913 - September 16, 2007

Statesman for Utah

EARLY YEARS

BIRTH: Calvin Lewellyn Rampton is born on Nov. 6, 1913, in Bountiful.

FDR ADMIRER: In 1932, at age 19, Rampton takes his first active role in politics, becoming assistant secretary of the Davis County Democratic Party.

ASSISTANT'S POST: In 1936, Rampton, at age 23, is hired as administrative assistant to 2nd Congressional District Rep. Will Robinson.

ELECTED: Rampton runs for and wins his first elective office, Davis County attorney, in 1938. The position is part time, paying $75 a month.

LAW DEGREE: A year later, Rampton completes law school at the University of Utah and is admitted to the Utah State Bar.

MARRIAGE: In 1940, at age 27, he marries Lucybeth Cardon. Later that year he runs for and loses election for state Senate, then goes to work as an assistant state attorney general.

OFF TO WAR: Rampton serves in the military during World War II (1944-46), primarily in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

LAW PRACTICE: After returning to Utah, Rampton starts his law practice in 1946.

STATE POST: Rampton is appointed Utah's assistant attorney general, serving two years until 1948.

SENATE LOSSES: Rampton seeks a seat in the state Senate in 1948 and 1952, losing both times in the general election.

PRIMARY LOSS: In 1962 Rampton runs for the U.S. Senate and loses in the Democratic primary.

GOVERNOR

GOVERNORSHIP: Rampton's election win in November 1964 makes him chief executive of the state of Utah.

LOBBYIST REFORM: In his first official act on Jan. 4, 1965, the newly sworn Gov. Rampton issues executive order banning all full-time state employees from lobbying the Legislature.

"RAMP"ING IT UP: In his first legislative session, Rampton successfully presses an ambitious agenda, including a $65 million bond for new education buildings, raising income taxes, and creating a merit system for state employees.

"LITTLE HOOVER:" Rampton creates a commission dubbed "Little Hoover" to reorganize and streamline government and a business-recruiting group known as "Rampton's raiders."

FIRST VETO: In his third year (1967), Rampton sharpens his veto pencil, rejecting 22 bills, including a Mormon church-lobbied Sunday closing law.

THREE-PEAT: In November 1972, he wins an unprecedented third term. He later says he should have left office after two.

NO EQUAL RIGHTS: Rampton is dismayed by the Legislature's refusal to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. He also describes as his "biggest disappointment" the defeat of a ballot issue to impose limited land-use planning.

POWER DRAIN: In 1976, Rampton acknowledges defeat in effort he had long championed: to build a controversial power plant on the Kaiparowitz Plateau in southern Utah.

THE PRACTICE: Rampton turns the wheel over to Gov. Scott Matheson in 1977, returning to private law practice and joining the firm of Jones, Waldo, Holbrook & McDonough. During the next decade or so, he gradually cuts back on his work schedule.

TRAVEL TIME: During the 1980s, Rampton continues as a senior partner and consultant in the law firm, but he spends more time traveling. But he still holds court as a political adviser to young Democrats, as well as attending the weekly "Damned Old Democrats" meeting over lunch at the Alta Club.

THE ORATOR: Rampton delivers a fiery speech at the Democratic State Convention in 1999, calling the all-Republican U.S. House delegation an "embarrassment" and comparing them to the Three Stooges.

LOSES LUCYBETH: Lucybeth, who had become a public champion of treatment for chronic depression, dies at age 89.

RAMPTON DIES: After going into hospice for cancer on July 17 and later suffering a stroke, Rampton dies on Sept. 16, 2007.

Calvin Rampton is touched by personal tragedy while still a teenager, discovering his dad's body during an early morning duck hunt in the fall of 1931. Lewellyn Rampton, the state's first wildlife director, suffered a stroke, apparently while trying to set up for that morning's hunt. Young Calvin found his dad's body in the front seat of the family truck, called for help and sat with the body until his uncle arrived with help.

Did You Know? Rampton shares

the same birth year (1913) as former

Presidents Ford and Nixon.