Former Utah congressman dead of ATV accident

It is sad to see former Congressman Bill Orton die today given how he was one of the few members of the House who was able to overcome some of the struggling times of the 1990s. Being as how Utah is typically a Republican state, he served a district that really was more conservative than he was and for him to continue winning was a feat many of his Democratic colleagues were unable to accomplish while Newt was in charge. I like that Orton was living life to the fullest these days with his passion for ATV riding, but it got me thinking about at what age do you begin to take things a little easier on yourself and your family. It had to be an exhilarating experience on those sand dunes or else Orton probably wouldn't have been doing it, but doing something like that with his age was putting himself at risk of injury. He started his family when he was in his late forties and with his sons now going through puberty, they will not be able look to their father for advice or leadership. I cannot imagine how his wife and sons feel now that Bill is gone because growing up is hard enough with two parents, but a single parent household makes it even more difficult and the loss of a loved one is something that you can never forget.