Former state Rep. Leo Berman passed away Saturday after a long battle with lymphoma. He was 79.

Berman served as District 6 representative, which represented Tyler and portions of Smith County, from 1999 to 2012.

He was known as a conservative stalwart and was given leaderships roles, including positions on the House Appropriations committee and chairmanships on Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations, under former House Speaker Tom Craddick. 

Berman was often critical of House Speaker Joe Straus, who replaced Craddick by leveraging Democratic support and a faction of disaffected Republicans before the 2009 Legislative Session. He challenged Straus for Speaker heading into the 2011 Session but withdrew his candidacy before members voted. 

One of Berman’s biggest accomplishments was helping the University of Texas at Tyler land a nursing Ph.D. program. Berman received the President’s Award from the university for his help expanding the university during his tenure in the House. 

While packing up his district office in late 2012, Berman said his greatest, most gratifying accomplishments as a legislator was helping constituents with problems, from collecting child support to receiving veterans benefits they were owed. 

Berman took pride in answering every constituent phone call, e-mail and letter personally. 

“I just really enjoy helping people,” Berman told The Tyler Morning Telegraph. 

District 6 Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, who defeated Berman in a 2012 Republican Primary, said House business was brought to a stop Saturday for a moment of silence when the news of Berman’s death was announced.

“Rep. Leo Berman was a brave patriot and a true friend of liberty,” Schaefer said. “I’m very sad to hear of his passing. We are especially thankful for his service in the Army and to the State of Texas. He served well. Our prayers are with his wife and family.”

Former state Rep. Chuck Hopson, a House colleague of Berman’s who represented Jacksonville, said Berman was a true believer and hard worker for the people of Texas. Hopson said even when the two legislators disagreed they disagreed agreeably and would sometimes follow debate with dinner that night. 

“We traded rides back and forth to Austin, and I considered him my friend,” Hopson said. “He will be missed by the people of East Texas.”

Berman was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrants from Latvia and Poland in 1935.  

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Departmental Distinction from Southern Methodist University.  He graduated first in his class in the U.S. Army Field Artillery School Officer Candidate School and was inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame in 2008.  

Berman reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army with 22 years of service, including two tours in Vietnam and three years as a U.S. Army liaison to Congress. He was awarded three Bronze Stars and nine Air Medals.  

In 2009, he was promoted to colonel in the Texas State Guard and awarded the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal.

Berman moved to Arlington, Texas, after retiring from the military. He served on the Arlington City Council from 1979–1985. 

Berman was a retired public affairs executive for Sun Exploration and Production Company. 

He is survived by his wife, Lou Ann Berman, five children, seven grandchildren, three great-grandsons, one sister and two brothers. He is preceded in death by wife, Cara Sue Hughey Berman. 

Funeral services are pending with Christ Episcopal Church.