Arizona has lost a great citizen and powerful voice for freedom with the death of Louis Rhodes.

Louis was an original – a Goldwater-for-President volunteer who never lost his passion for protecting everyone's rights, a non-driver often seen on the street waiting for the bus (or a ride from a friend), and a voracious reader, whose wife had to clear thousands of books out of the house to have room to turn around. He never trusted computers but could remember voter registration precinct by precinct.

I worked with Louis most closely when he was a Community Builder at HUD. He provided invaluable on-the-ground support for many neighborhood associations. A prototypical "absent-minded professor," his self-effacing wit kept all around him entertained, regardless of their point of view. As leader of the ACLU in Arizona for many years, he defended rights at every point of the political compass.

Louis Rhodes made Arizona a better, freer place to live.

Terry Goddard