SEATTLE (AP) — Dan Evans, a popular Republican governor of Washington state who served three terms in the Senate and left in frustration because he found the chamber too acrimonious and boring, has died. He was 98.

Evans died on Friday, said the University of Washington, where he served as regent and where the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance bears his name.

“Dan Evans was an honorable, independent-minded public servant who put Washington state first and dedicated his life to protecting and investing in the places and people of our state,” Democratic U.S. Senator Patty Murray said in a statement Saturday. “We were lucky to have him – and I have no doubt his legacy will live on for generations to come.”

Evans was a dominant force in Washington politics for decades, and until current Gov. Jay Inslee, he was the only person to be elected governor three times. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Democrat said it was difficult to think of another resident who had had such a positive impact on so many aspects of the state.

“All of us, regardless of party, can be grateful for the progress he has made during each of his three terms as governor,” Inslee said.

Born in Seattle in 1925, Evans was a civil engineer before entering politics. He was elected to the state legislature in 1956 and won the governorship in 1964, defeating two-term incumbent Democrat Albert D. Rosellini and prevailing in a bad year for his Republican party, in which President Lyndon Johnson soundly defeated Republican Barry Goldwater.

Known as a moderate to liberal Republican, the outdoorsman helped create new recreation and park areas in the state and supported clean air and water laws. He established the first state Department of Ecology, which President Richard Nixon used as a model for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Evans also unsuccessfully campaigned for the introduction of a state income tax and decided not to run for a fourth term.

“His legacy of coming together for the common good, regardless of party lines, has inspired and will continue to inspire Evans School officials and the community,” Jodi Sandfort, the school’s dean, said in a statement.

Sandfort recalled a quote from Evans: “To achieve good things, it takes a cross-party effort, because often the goals we want to achieve are not party-related.”

After leaving the governor’s residence in 1977, Evans remained in Olympia and served as president of the Evergreen State College. Evans had helped found the state school when he signed a bill authorizing the liberal arts college, and as governor he also supported the creation of the state’s community college system.

During his time at the state’s helm, he rose to national prominence and was the keynote speaker at the 1968 Republican National Convention. In 1976, he was mentioned as a possible running mate for President Gerald Ford. Evans was never a fan of Ronald Reagan, supporting Ford in 1976 and initially supporting George HW Bush in 1980.

Evans was a popular Republican in a predominantly Democratic state and would have been a safe bet as a candidate for the U.S. Senate. However, he often dismissed such comments, saying in 1972, “I don’t particularly like Washington, D.C. … and I couldn’t stand being in the Senate.”

However, in 1983, Democratic Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson died in office and Evans accepted an appointment to finish his term. Evans decided not to seek re-election in 1988, citing “the tediousness of making decisions.” At the time, he said he was looking forward to returning home and enjoying the outdoors.

In later years, Evans served as a regent at the University of Washington, his alma mater, and served on numerous nonprofit and corporate boards.

“Dad had an extraordinarily full life,” his sons – Dan Jr., Mark and Bruce Evans – said in a statement quoted by The Seattle Times. “Whether he was holding public office, working to improve higher education, or mentoring aspiring civil servants … he just kept getting involved in things until the end. He touched many lives. And he did it without sacrificing his family.”

Evans’ wife, Nancy Bell Evans, died in January at age 90.