Alberto Gutier, who worked in Arizona politics for decades, died Saturday.

Gutier served as director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for more than 20 years before retiring in November 2022. Gutier has worked with seven Arizona governors, from Bruce Babbitt to Doug Ducey.

ABC15 spoke with Gutier in October 2023 following his retirement. Hear from him in the player above.

Born in Cuba, Gutier first came to the United States as a student at the University of Florida in the late 1950s. He soon returned to Cuba and took a job with Cubana Airlines and later transferred to New York.

Gutier and his wife became US citizens in 1966. But when Gutier first heard of the Arizona senator, he and his family moved to Phoenix.

“My wife and I went to the opening speech of the Barry Goldwater Drafting Committee. I still have some of the pamphlets from the Barry Goldwater Drafting Committee for President of the United States. So I was a Goldwater guy when I came to Arizona in 1968,” Gutier told ABC15 in 2023 :

Gutier soon became immersed in Arizona’s political scene and served as a Republican Party committeeman for 50 years.

He was a delegate to five national conventions, an 11-term Sergeant at Arms for the Arizona Republican Party, and a 2016 Arizona presidential elector.

Former Governor Doug Ducey released the following statement:

“Alberto was one of a kind; a devoted husband, father, proud American, and public servant who loved America and Arizona. Alberto lived the American Dream and was very proud of it. Angela and I are praying for Miryam and the entire family. Alberto We are grateful to call him a friend. May he rest in peace.”