Former US Rep. Carl Pursell, who served 8 terms in Congress, dies at 76

Former Mich. Congressman Carl Pursell dies at 76

LANSING, Mich. — Former U.S. Rep. Carl Pursell, who served in the U.S. House for 16 years and later became an Eastern Michigan University trustee, died Thursday. He was 76.

The Republican was elected to the Michigan Senate in 1970 and was in the middle of his second term in 1976 when he was elected to the U.S. House.

Pursell was the ranking Republican on the House Education Appropriations Subcommittee during his tenure, and was re-elected seven times until deciding to step down in 1992.

State Republican Chairman Ron Weiser called Pursell “the definition of a public servant who faithfully served his state and country through military and public service.”

Born in Imlay City, Pursell served in the U.S. Army from 1957-59 and was a teacher and businessman before going into politics. He served on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners from 1969-70.

Pursell received a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan in 1957 and a master’s degree in 1962. Pursell served on the school’s Board of Regents from 1993-2000 and was named to the university’s College of Education Alumni Hall of Fame, among other honors.