In shocking news that hit us hard here in the Great Land, we learned Wednesday morning that Alaska Representative Mary Peltola's husband, Eugene Peltola Jr., was killed in a plane crash.

Rep. Mary Peltola’s (D-Alaska) husband has died in a plane accident in Alaska, her chief of staff announced Wednesday. 

“We are devastated to share that Mary’s husband, Eugene Peltola Jr.—‘Buzzy’ to all of us who knew and loved him—passed away earlier this morning following a plane accident in Alaska,” Peltola’s chief of staff Anton McParland said in a statement shared to the congresswoman’s account on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.  

Peltola is returning home to be with family, McParland said, and her team will meet with constituents and “carry on the work of the office while Mary and her family grieve.”  

Mrs. Peltola's office released an official statement on Twitter:

pic.twitter.com/7e4Ga5ZH7i

— Rep. Mary Peltola (@Rep_Peltola) September 13, 2023

As of this writing, no details have been released of either the aircraft or the nature of the accident.

Being an Alaskan myself and one of Mary Peltola's constituents, I can only express my deepest condolences to the Peltola family, from me and my entire family, and, I am certain, from all of my RedState colleagues. Family is one of the greatest gifts we have; family is much — indeed, most — of what gives our lives meaning. The loss of a loved one is a hard thing to bear.

Mrs. Peltola's Chief of Staff, Anton McParland, described Eugene "Buzzy" Peltola with these words in the official statement:

He was one of those people that was obnoxiously good at everything. He had a delightful sense of humor that lightened the darkest moments. He was definitely the cook in the family. And family was most important to him. He was completely devoted to his parents, kids, siblings, extended family, and friends — and he simply adored Mary. We are heartbroken for the family's loss.

Eugene Peltola was, by every description, a fine man who cared about his family, his community, and, most especially, his wife.

Sympathy and compassion in the face of loss are some of the things that should unite us as human beings, as caring, feeling beings. And so we extend our sympathy and compassion to the Peltolas in this awful time, and on this damp, chilly Alaska morning, we wish them every comfort and solace in remembering Eugene, his life, and his love for you all. He loved you all, and he loved Alaska, and this morning Alaska grieves with you.

Words can only help so much in such a time, but words are what we have at this juncture, so we can only hope the Peltola family can draw comfort from these words of Alfred, Lord Tennyson:

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.