The announcement that state Sen. Kip Averitt, 55, is ending his re-election bid for health reasons and wrapping up his considerable career of public service is devastating to those who got to know him. To see anyone of such talent, insight and accomplishment leave before his time is to be gravely regretted.

As chief of staff for former state Sen. David Sibley, then a state representative and senator himself, the Waco-area Republican gradually proved he was intimately knowledgeable about the most complex of issues. He wasn’t a firebrand when speaking to crowds — he didn’t resort to the usual crowd-pleasing rhetoric — but his nuanced handling of issues and his ability to work with Democrats and Republicans ultimately benefited his constituents far more.

When Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Averitt visited with the Trib editorial board last month to talk of goals for the 2011 legislative session, it was obvious to everyone the great faith and trust Dewhurst has for our state senator. He even talked of the likelihood of Averitt’s chairing the powerful Senate Finance Committee till Steve Ogden, then chair, suddenly reversed his own plans to leave the Senate.

Granted, many Central Texans had reservations about Kip Averitt after he appeared to put partisanship over his constituents, defied passionate appeals from regional leaders and voted to split up the historically aligned counties of McLennan, Bell and Coryell in the redistricting of our congressional district in 2003. However, since then he has risen above such partisanship, winning the respect of most voters and leaders like Dewhurst.

Averitt has led the way in what former President George W. Bush once called compassionate conservatism with his crusade to increase the number of poor families benefiting from the Children’s Health Insurance Program. He has heightened many Texans’ concerns about water and air quality — huge worries for conservatives and liberals alike throughout Central Texas.

Most recently, everyone from Dewhurst to state Rep. Jim Dunnam praised Averitt for rallying state support for the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative now forming. His work makes possible a collaboration that brings business and academia together in new and exciting ways for our region.

Averitt was just entering his most influential period as a legislator championing Central Texas and our state. His looming absence will be felt in ways yet only imagined. We pray for his health and for his family.