Governor Dreyfus died in his Waukesha home yesterday at the age of 81.

He was one of the most colorful players in Wisconsin politics, including his signature red vest. He was the Republican governor of Wisconsin from 1979 to 1983, presiding over a budget surplus where he actually issued refunds to Wisconsin citizens. He reduced the size of Wisconsin government and also signed a gay rights bill into law in 1982, the first in the nation, prohibiting discrimination against gays in hiring and housing.

His rather refreshing way of blurting out his opinions will be missed.