Putzier Was Blue-Collar Champion Death Claims Community Activist Thursday At 65

Rollin Putzier, self-styled champion of the working man who earned a law degree in his 40s and tried his hand at local politics in his 60s, died Thursday.

Putzier, 65, suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease.

He unsuccessfully ran for Kootenai County Commissioner against Dick Compton last November. Putzier’s platform included making growth pay its own way, abolishing county limits on septic tanks, extending hours of county offices past 5 p.m. and easing school crowding.

He also opposed grass field burning.

Born in South Dakota, Putzier spent time in the Navy. He moved to Post Falls in the mid-1950s.

His career included construction, mining, sawmill work, and working at a horse racing track. Poor health forced him to stop work in the 1970s.

Putzier went back to school, although he couldn’t even hold a pen, and earned his law degree from Gonzaga University.

Although he made his first run for office last fall, Putzier was long active in Democratic politics and local political issues. He was an outspoken opponent of the Coeur d’Alene Greyhound Park and criticized the county commissioners for giving Silverwood Theme Park a 30-percent tax cut.

He also opposed using tax breaks to lure Boise-computer giant Micron to Post Falls.

Putzier’s survivors include his wife, Judy, and three children; Rollin William Putzier of Post Falls, Mary Putzier of Wells, Nev., and Laura Putzier of Lewiston.

A memorial service will be held Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the New Life Community Church in Hayden Lake.

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The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Ken Olsen Staff writer Staff writer Craig Welch contributed to this report