Longtime Vermont Sen. Dick Sears died over the weekend. He was 81.

Longtime Vermont Sen. Dick Sears died over the weekend. He was 81.

Sears became a resident of Bennington in 1971.  Sen. Sears served in the Vermont Legislature for 32 years. During his tenure, he served as the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  According to legislative leaders, Sears died surrounded by family and long-time friends.  Bennington County Sen. Brian Campion issued a statement saying, “Dick loved representing Bennington County and took great pride in that honor for the 32 years he served as State Senator. He was one of the most effective leaders in the Senate and will be sorely missed. In a statement, Gov. Phil Scott said, “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Dick Sears. Senator Sears was already in the Senate when I arrived as a freshman in 2001. We served together for many years and I have always had a great deal of respect for him. I appreciate his willingness to work across the aisle to get things done. Just this past session, he worked closely with my team to pass important public safety legislation.”