By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

U.S. — Former Vice President Walter "Fritz" Mondale, a liberal icon who famously lost the 1984 U.S. Presidential election in a landslide, passed away on Monday evening at his home in Minneapolis. He was 93.

In a farewell letter addressed to his staff just before his passing, Mondale stated, "Well my time has come. I am eager to rejoin Joan and Eleanor. Before I go I wanted to let you know how much you mean to me. Never has a public servant had a better group of people working at their side!"

"Together we have accomplished so much and I know you will keep up the good fight," the ex-vice president continued.

During the course of his 20-year career in politics, Mondale served in various roles, including Attorney General of Minnesota from 1960 to 1964, U.S. Senator from Minnesota from 1964 to 1976, and most famously, as Vice President of the United States under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981. 

"I mourn the passing of my dear friend Walter Mondale, who I consider the best vice president in our country's history," said President Carter. "During our [administration], Fritz used his political skill and personal integrity to transform the vice presidency into a dynamic, policy-driving force."

Mondale ended his career in public service in the Clinton administration, where he served as ambassador to Japan for three years.

Mondale also helped make history in 1984 by selecting then-Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate for the general election. It was the first time a woman was selected for a major party's presidential ticket.

Amy Klobuchar, the current senior U.S. Senator from Minnesota and former 2020 presidential candidate, credited Mondale's encouragement as one of her reasons to pursue public office.

"Walter Mondale was a true public servant and my friend and mentor," Klobuchar said. "He set a high bar for himself and kept passing it and raising it, passing it and raising it. As Minn. AG, senator, vice president, ambassador, and presidential candidate, he was kind and dignified to the end."

Mondale was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Mondale, who passed away in 2014, and his daughter, Ellen, who died in 2011.