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Rick Votaw, who held a variety of Salt Lake County and state leadership positions with the Republican Party over a long career in politics, died Aug. 17. He was 67.
The cause was complications from liver cancer, according to a paid obituary written by his family.
Utah Republican Chairman James Evans on Saturday said he met Votaw about 12 years ago and said came to know him as a friend.
Votaw served as vice chair under Evans when the latter oversaw Salt Lake County's GOP, but Evans said Votaw was involved in the party in several different capacities, including serving as a legislative and precinct chair.
Evans endorsed Votaw for party treasurer when the State Central Committee met in December to fill the vacancy, but another man was chosen for the job. Most recently, Votaw served as director of special projects for the state party, the Utah GOP website shows.
Votaw was someone "giving," Evans wrote in a tribute after Votaw's funeral Thursday. Family members told stories about Votaw's generosity at the service, specifically noting an occasion when Votaw purchased a set of tires for a family who couldn't afford it and, more recently, a time when he treated a search and rescue team to pizza and drinks, Evans wrote.
"These stories shed light on a personal side of Rick that many of us may have not seen," Evans wrote.
Votaw's more frequently seen side was exhibited in the "political arena," Evans said. "In politics, it's a rough and tumble sport," and Votaw wasn't one to mince words or shy away from issues about which he felt passionate.
Two years ago, Votaw referred to state lawmakers as "schizophrenic" on issues like air pollution, after he was refused a clean-fuel vehicle pass, which would have given him access express lanes on highways while driving his electric car.
Elected officials, politicos, Utah Republican Party officers and staff members attended services for Votaw on Thursday, Evans wrote, remembering him as a statesman.
"We will never forget Rick or the lasting influence he had in the lives of many," Evans wrote. "These words stuck with me at the close of Rick's service: 'Let us not judge a man at his worst; let us judge a man by how much he has given.' There was no shortage of generosity in Rick's capacity to give."
Votaw received tributes from other politicians and friends on social media after his death, including Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, the Salt Lake County Republican Party and the Utah GOP.
Votaw did "considerable volunteer work" for the GOP over the years, according to a 2015 article from Utah Policy, and donated at least $37,000 to the party in a three-year span.
Votaw is survived by his wife of nearly 43 years, Karrie Votaw; three sons, Joel, Jeremy and Joshua Votaw; six grandchildren; two siblings, Rhett Votaw and Linda Davis Votaw.
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