Former Republican Representative Richard Dodge, age 89 of Pleasant Lake passed away on Thursday.

Dodge was a longtime Steuben County politician who served in numerous capacities, most recently as a state representative in House District 51, which covered Steuben and DeKalb counties.

Dodge served in the statehouse from 2004-2010. He was caucused in to fill the vacancy created when Rep. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, was selected to fill the vacancy created by the death of Sen. Bud Meeks.

Dodge went on to win election in the fall of 2004 and elections afterward until he decided to not run for reelection in 2012 when the district's boundaries were changed, creating a district that now covers most of Steuben and LaGrange counties.

Dick and his wife Joann have five children, eight grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements for Dodge are still pending.