Reactions to Gov. Bob Scott's death

"Today, our beloved husband, father and grandfather Bob Scott passed away after a lifetime of public service to the people of North Carolina. We will miss him dearly.

"He loved his family, his community and the people of this great state. He was honored to serve North Carolina as lieutenant governor, governor and then as the president of the community college system. He was a steadfast and visionary leader during tumultuous times. Throughout his life, he never stopped caring for people and was a tireless advocate for civil rights, rural communities and education.

"We will always remember him for his servant leadership, love of family and North Carolina, sincere compassion and sense of humor.

"We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for us. We also thank you for the kind outpouring of support our family has received throughout the years."

— The Scott family

“North Carolina has lost one of our greatest governors today, and many of us have lost a friend.

"Gov. Scott devoted his life to public service – from leading our state as our chief executive, to serving as president of North Carolina’s community college system – he always believed that North Carolina could be a better place, with wider doors of opportunity for all our people, and he worked to make it so.

"Gov. Scott will be missed, but his vision for North Carolina will live on.”

— Gov. Beverly Perdue

"Gov. Bob Scott was part of North Carolina's greatest political family. He was a strong, courageous leader who did big things to build North Carolina's future."

— former Gov. Jim Hunt

"I had the pleasure of serving with Bob Scott while he was governor. Elizabeth and I join all of North Carolina in offering our thanks for the contributions he made.

"Bob was an honorable man and dedicated much of his professional life to making things better for us and for our children. His legacy will not only be his work as lieutenant governor and as governor, but as a tremendous leader of the best community college system in our country.

"Our thoughts are with Jessie Rae and the entire Scott family."

— former Lt. Gov. Pat Taylor

"North Carolina and North Carolina community colleges have lost a true champion and a great education leader. Gov. Scott brought his formidable skills and a lifetime of public service to North Carolina community colleges when he became system president in 1983. The work of his 11-year tenure is especially evident in today’s economic climate as North Carolina’s citizens turn to their community colleges for education and retraining.

"Gov. Scott’s legacy in developing and defining our colleges’ mission will continue to impact North Carolina’s economic future. The entire North Carolina community college family extends our deepest sympathies to the Scott family and our unending gratitude for Gov. Scott’s leadership.”

— N.C. Community College System President Scott Ralls

"He was the person who, though his roots were rural, reorganized (North Carolina's) university system for the 21st century."

— former N.C. Community College System President Martin Lancaster

"He just had that sense of humor that he may be governor, but he's not going to be a stuffed shirt."

— Rob Christensen, political columnist, The (Raleigh) News & Observer