State Rep. Richard Belden, longest serving legislator dies
Belden, the deputy House minority leader at large, was first elected in 1974 to represent his lifelong hometown of Shelton. Until his death of an apparent heart attack, he had been the longest-serving member of the current General Assembly.
Belden was at the state Capitol on Friday, working on constituent matters.
"The city of Shelton and the entire state of Connecticut have lost an incredible leader and we have all lost a true friend," said House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk. "Anyone whose life was touched by Dick appreciated his trademark wisdom and wit, his quick smile and laughter."
He was known as a committed fiscal conservative who fought to use state surpluses to reduce borrowing. From 1993 to 2006, he was the ranking House Republican member of the legislature's Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee. He served many years on the State Bond Commission as well. Most recently, he sat on the Labor and Public Employees Committee and the Legislative Management Committee.
Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell, a former state representative, said Belden was one of her closest friends in the General Assembly and for many years a mentor.
"The Capitol will be a sadder place without Dick Belden," Rell said. "His advocacy on so many issues -- from fiscal restraint to open space preservation to tough drunk-driving laws -- helped to make our state a better place."
Rell ordered state flags across Connecticut lowered to half-staff in Belden's memory.
House Speaker James Amann, D-Milford, credited Belden with working cooperatively with the majority Democrats on issues such as farmland preservation. He said Belden was known for providing "wise advice, relentless command of issues and his tireless work ethic."
Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy said Belden was fair and decent to others, no matter the political party.
"Dick Belden was a gentleman and a gentle man and there are few who ever had a cross word with him," Healy said. "He could work across party lines, be resolute in his beliefs and always took the time to counsel the next generation of leaders."
Belden served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1961 and later worked 38 years at Sikorsky Aircraft, where he held numerous management positions.
He volunteered for numerous community organizations, including St. Margaret Mary Church in Shelton, Griffin Hospital, the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys and Girls Club and the Valley Substance Abuse Council.
He is survived by his wife, Bertha. The couple married in 1956.
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