Bob Havely, who died August 9 at age 65, was a Jim Hunt alumnus, a multi-faceted political and public affairs consultant, and a good friend to many of us.

Bob was the rare player who could hit from both sides of the plate: He could do both policy and politics. He was issues director for Governor Hunt’s 1984 race against Jesse Helms. He was smart and tenacious, intense and painstaking. Sometimes he drove me crazy. But he cared about and worked for good candidates and causes.

Some he helped: David Price, Bob Etheridge, Tim Valentine; Rufus Edmisten, Mike Easley, Tony Rand, A.B. Swindell, Elaine Marshall, Robin Hudson, Wanda Bryant, Linda McGee, Mark Davis, Sam J. Ervin, IV, Ken Lewis, Britt Cobb, Mickey Michaux, Jim Slattery (KS), Mel Carnahan (MO), Bill Dolan (VA), Joe Checota (WI) and Joe Kohn (PA).

He was a healthcare policy advisor for President Jimmy Carter. During the 1980s, he was director of government relations for Duke University, and he worked with a number of other North Carolina colleges and universities, including High Point University. He was also a lobbyist for Prevent Blindness North Carolina.

We’ll have a gathering to remember Bob from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Player’s Retreat, where he was a regular.

You can also remember him by donating to Common Cause of North Carolina. Common Cause’s Bob Phillips said, “From serving in the White House, to working as director of government relations at Duke University and advising a wide variety of elected officials, candidates and nonprofit organizations, Bob dedicated his life to the democratic process and education in our state.”