January 9, 2011, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell ordered state flags lowered to half-staff on Thursday, January 12, in honor and memory of former State Representative Edmund “Ed” Orbeck. He passed away Friday morning in Arizona at the age of 96.

He served on the Fairbanks City Council and represented Fairbanks for five terms in the state House before joining Governor Jay Hammond’s administration as labor commissioner, where he served for eight years.

“Representative Orbeck was a leader to the Fairbanks community in the years following statehood,” Governor Parnell said. “His extensive service to our state and signature passion for football will be fondly remembered. Sandy and I ask that Alaskans join in keeping the Orbeck family in their thoughts and prayers.”

Orbeck is survived by his wife, Sherry, and two children. State flags will be lowered on Thursday in honor of Orbeck. Flags will be raised to full-staff the following morning.

Source: Office of Governor Parnell