Obituary

Indiana governor dies 5 days after stroke

INDIANAPOLIS - Frank O'Bannon, who parlayed down-home southern Indiana charm and consensus-building ability into mixed success as his state's governor since 1997, died Saturday (Sept. 13, 2003), five days after suffering a stroke. He was 73.

Mr. O'Bannon, who fell ill Monday while attending a conference in Chicago, died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, press secretary Mary Dieter said. He died at 11:33 a.m., a statement from his press office said.

"The governor experienced a drop in both blood pressure and heart rate. Based on the governor's living will, First Lady Judy O'Bannon and the family decided to use no further means of support and care and the governor died naturally," the statement said.

Although he suffered a genetic condition that gave him tremors, Mr. O'Bannon's most recent physical had not turned up any medical concerns, Dieter said.

Acting Gov. Joe Kernan was sworn in as governor Saturday. He had been serving as official acting governor since Wednesday.

The last governor to die in office was Missouri's Gov. Mel Carnahan, who was killed in a plane crash in October 2000.

Mr. O'Bannon's tenure began brightly with the economic boom of the late 1990s. Indiana built a record $2-billion surplus, and Mr. O'Bannon cut taxes by $1.5-billion, put 500 police officers on the streets and won more money for schools and universities.

Mr. O'Bannon won his first term in 1996, narrowly defeating Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith. The moderate Democrat coasted to re-election in 2000 over former U.S. Rep. David McIntosh.

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