Former Congressman Knollenberg Dies: Report

TROY, MI – Former Congressman Joe Knollenberg has died, according to a news report. The Republican from Bloomfield Township served in the U.S. House from 1993 to 2009.

Knollenberg died of complications related to Alzheimer's disease, reported Fox2Detroit, citing the former lawmaker's family. He was born Nov. 28, 1933. He is survived by his wife, Sandie Knollenberg.

Among those who offered condolences were Rep. Dave Trott, a Republican from Birmingham.

"As a Representative of both the 9th and 11thCongressional districts, Joe worked tirelessly during his sixteen years in Congress to represent the values of Southeastern Michigan," Trott said. "Our state and nation are better off because of his service."

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said Knollenberg "exemplified what we should expect from our elected leaders. He was accessible and responsive in Washington, D.C. every time we had an issue. He was a real friend of Oakland County who represented his constituents well. He will be sorely missed.”

Knollenberg served as the chairman of the Oakland County Republican Party from 1978 to 1982. Prior to politics Knollenberg was an insurance agent.

>>> Read the story at Fox2Detroit

File photo by Paul Sancya/Associated Press