The husband of Republican Sen.-elect Beverly Gossage has died, apparently from complications of COVID-19.
Gossage announced her husband’s death in a post on Facebook Thursday morning. It followed a Twitter post from her daughter, Bobbie, on Wednesday night.
“I am numb. My heart is broken,” Gossage posted. “After being together since we were children, married for 51 years, my journey on this Earth with my precious Robert has come to an end. I don’t know how to do this without him.
“No woman ever had a more attentive, loving, supportive husband (He spoiled me), a more caring father of her children (He loved being a dad), and a more fun Grandpa to her grandbabies (He absolutely adored them).”
Gossage’s daughter disclosed the cause of death in her tweet from Wednesday night.
“I lost my dad today due to complications from COVID-19,” Bobbie Gossage tweeted.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met a grandparent who loved his grandkids quite as much as my dad did,” she wrote.
Beverly Gossage added this on Facebook, “I am thankful that Robert accepted Christ as his savior when we were kids. He was a student of the Word and exhibited the fruits of the spirit. We will be reunited soon.”
Gossage, a former candidate for state insurance commissioner, is set to replace Julia Lynn in the Senate this upcoming session.
She won the Senate District 9 seat last month when she defeated Democrat Stacey Knoell.
She did not attend the leadership organizational meeting earlier this month.
Gov. Laura Kelly offered her sympathies in a statement.
“I offer my deepest condolences to Sen.-elect Beverly Gossage following the passing of her husband, Robert,” the governor said in a statement.
“My thoughts are with the Gossage family during this difficult time.”
Republican state Rep. Nick Hoheisel of Wichita also offered comfort on social media.
“Prayers to Sen-elect Gossage and her family, as well as all those currently suffering from this evil pandemic,” he tweeted.
“Please continue to socially distance, wear a mask, and take the vaccine as soon as you’re allowed. We have a ways to go, but the finish line is in sight. #ksleg“
