Arkansas Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller dies at 57 After 2 Failed BMT’s

Posted by rob on July 16, 2006 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

By Steve Barnes

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Reuters) – Arkansas Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller, 57, a great-grandson of Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller, died on Sunday of complications relating to a blood disorder, a spokesman said in a statement.

Rockefeller, a wealthy Republican, was nearing the end of his second four-year term as lieutenant governor. He was diagnosed with myeloproliferative disorder last year, prompting him to end his campaign for governor.

Rockefeller was continuing a U.S. political dynasty that included his father Winthrop Rockefeller, who was governor of Arkansas from 1967 to 1971 and his uncle Nelson Rockefeller, who was New York governor from 1959 to 1973 before serving as U.S. vice president from 1974 to 1977.

He was a cousin of U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat from West Virginia.

Rockefeller sought treatment for his malady, which can lead to leukemia, at a Seattle cancer center earlier this year. But two bone marrow transplants failed to arrest the condition, and he returned to Arkansas by private plane on July 8.

Like his father and uncle, Rockefeller came from the moderate wing of the Republican Party, making his prospects for further office uncertain in the conservative-dominated party.

During his political career, Rockefeller said Forbes magazine overstated his fortune, which the magazine estimated to be $1.2 billion, making Rockefeller the 283rd richest American in Forbes’ latest rankings.

Rockefeller gave his annual $35,000 salary as lieutenant governor to charity.

Rockefeller operated Winrock Farms Inc., a cattle farm founded by his father atop Petit Jean Mountain, about 45 miles

west of Little Rock, and was an active supporter of Boy Scouts of America.

Rockefeller and his wife, Lisenne, founded a school in Arkansas for children with learning difficulties. Two of Rockefeller’s children have Down syndrome.

In addition to his wife, Rockefeller is survived by eight children and one grandchild.