The passing of former Vice President Walter Mondale marks the closing of an era in American history. A man without guile and who also possessed a fundamental sense of decency, Mondale demonstrated that life is best lived when we think of others first and when we don’t worry about getting credit.

He may not have had the opportunity to sit at the desk in the Oval Office, but his impact on our civic life was just as important, and in some ways more meaningful, than those who did.

Godspeed, Mr. Mondale … and thanks.

Mike Bell

Manchester