Symms was born on April 23, 1938, in Canyon County. He attended public schools and graduated from Caldwell High School before graduating from the University of Idaho in 1960, according to the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1960 to 1963 and worked as a private pilot and fruit farmer.

“Senator Steve Symms was a true patriot – a military veteran and dedicated public servant whose roots in agriculture helped him make decisions in Washington, where he represented Idaho’s interests,” Little said in a press release issued Friday. “A conservative elected during the ‘Reagan Revolution,’ Steve Symms regularly fought back against government overreach, stood up for Idaho’s working people and defended the freedoms we hold dear as Americans. God bless this champion of Idaho values.”

Little said he and his wife, Teresa, would like to express their sincere condolences to Symms’ family and friends.

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (Republican of Idaho) said in an emailed statement that Symms was a friend of his and his wife, Vicki, and that they also extend their condolences to the family.

“He was a staunch defender of conservative values ​​in Washington, DC, for the people of Idaho,” Risch said. “His commitment to Idaho and conservative principles was an inspiration to our state leaders. We will never forget the great day President Reagan came to Boise to rally for Steve’s re-election to the Senate. What a team they were.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho said in a statement posted on social media that he and his wife, Kathy, were “deeply saddened” by Symms’ death.

“Steve was an exceptional public servant whose years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to the people of Idaho left a lasting legacy on our state,” Simpson wrote.