Former Governor Wally Hickel, age 90, died late Friday evening. He served as Governor of Alaska from 1966 to 1969 and again from 1990 to 1994. His first term ended with a resignation as he was offered the position of US Secretary of the Interior under President Richard Nixon. He was fired from that position after criticizing Nixon’s position on his Vietnam War policy.
He returned to Alaska and ran for governor again several times. In 1990 he ran under the Alaska Independence Party banner. When he won, he faced a recall campaign. Many in the AIP were not happy with the fact that he never endorsed the secessionism cause. He rejoined the Republican Party near the end of his term in April of 1994.
He continued to be outspoken on political issues and campaigns after retiring from public service.
Governor Sean Parnell asked that all flags be lowered to half staff on Saturday at sunrise. All state flags will remain at half staff until after Hickel’s funeral. The funeral is May 17th, at 5 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Anchorage. There is an hour visitation beforehand. The public is welcome.
