Gov. Jay Inslee issued the following statement on the passing of Maj. Gen. Tim Lowenberg, who served as Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard under Governors Locke and Gregoire from 1999 until his retirement in 2012:
"Major General Tim Lowenberg lived a life of service to his state and his country. Trudi and I send our thoughts to his family and will hold them in our hearts as they remember him, and we hope all Washingtonians will do the same.
"General Lowenberg started his career in the Air Force, and served his nation with high honors and distinction over his decades of service. He served two governors as Adjutant General, commanding the Washington National Guard and overseeing numerous disaster responses, and served as an advisor on Homeland Security.
"As Adjutant General, he stood up for our citizen soldiers called on repeatedly to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. He worked to ensure they had the tools and funding they needed to carry out their mission overseas, and resources and support when they returned to their lives and families back home.
"America’s freedom endures because of those who answer the call to serve. General Lowenberg was the epitome of service, and on behalf of a grateful state and nation, I want to thank him and his family for their service and sacrifice."