CRYSTAL FALLS, Mich. – Former U.S. Congressman Dan Benishek, a noted “Friend of Agriculture,” has passed away at the age of 69.

Benishek, a medical doctor and surgeon, represented Michigan’s House district spanning northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula for six years. He died Oct. 15. Benishek was known as ‘Dr. Dan’ due to his being a doctor; he served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and was the only member of the Michigan delegation who served on the agriculture committee at that time. He also served on the Natural Resources and Veterans Affairs committees.

His work in congress was honored with the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Friend of Farm Bureau Award in each of his terms for his support of farm bureau policy. He earned multiple Friend of Agriculture endorsements from the Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) AgriPac committee. According to a statement from the MFB, Benishek was instrumental in helping secure the 2014 Farm Bill while shaping policy that addressed the unique needs of Michigan farmers.

The MFB’s District 12 Director Dave Bahrman remembered Benishek as an approachable individual who sought Bahrman out about the needs of Michigan farmers. “Congressman Benishek was at our farm a couple of times to ask us about agriculture,” said Bahrman, also is on the MFB state board.  “He was the only congressman to sit on the agriculture committee at that time. He wasn’t a farmer, but he did reach out to us and ask us for advice; he sought us out and asked us for our positions on particular issues.

“He was a very approachable guy,” Bahrman added. “We went to see him about a half a dozen times and he listened. All he wanted to do was make life better for his constituents. He wasn’t in it for himself. He always said he would only serve three terms and that’s what he did.”

Before serving in Congress from 2011 to 2017, Benishek practiced medicine for 20 years. According to Bahrman, Benishek finished his medical career at the Veterans Administration in the Upper Peninsula. “He didn’t want to be a career politician, that’s what he always said,” Bahrman explained. “He was always very calm and never put on airs. He was very down to earth.”

According to Bahrman, Benishek did some important work regarding the Waters of the U.S. regulation. He tried to ensure that the rule only applied to navigable waters of the United States, a crucial point for farmers. Once President Donald Trump got into office, Bahrman said, the navigable waters stipulation once again was applied to farmers.

Benishek’s family issued the following statement regarding his death but did not offer any further details about his passing: “We are heartbroken by the sudden loss of a loyal friend, a loving husband, a dedicated grandfather and a tireless advocate for Northern Michigan. As a doctor and surgeon, Dan saved countless lives in our community. His work in Congress made a difference for veterans across the country and protected Michigan’s natural wonders for years to come.”

Benishek was born in Iron River, Mich. in 1952 and worked at his family’s business, the Iron River Hotel, until he was 18. He attended the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Medical School. He worked as a surgeon for two decades at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center. Benishek is survived by his wife, Judy, five children, and grandchildren.