Arthur Link, a former governor and Congressman from North Dakota, died on June 1 in Bismarck after a bout of pneumonia. He was 96.

The son of European immigrants, Link was a lifelong North Dakotan, born in Alexander in 1914. He served almost 25 years in the state Legislature before taking a seat in Congress in 1971. During his first term on the Hill, North Dakota lost a House seat in reapportionment, and Link decided to run in the open governor’s race instead of running for re-election in 1972. He won and was re-elected in 1976, but in 1980 the governor lost his first campaign. His failure to become the Democrats’ choice for governor in 1984 ended his political career.

Democratic Rep. Earl Pomeroy, North Dakota’s current at-large Representative, recognized his predecessor on the House floor Thursday.

“I loved Art Link and can honestly say to you this chamber has never seen a more genuine, committed and thoroughly decent Member,” he said.

Link was a family man. He celebrated his 71st wedding anniversary with his wife, Grace, the week before he died, and he is also survived by five sons.