Libby Asbestos Activist Dies of Mesothelioma

January 24, 2007 - Just a few short weeks after announcing to the public that he had developed mesothelioma and only a month after his diagnosis, Les Skramstad – who rallied for recognition of Libby, Montana’s asbestos woes – has died of mesothelioma.

According to an Associated Press article, Skramstad, 70, was best known as a voice for many of Libby’s sickened residents. He lobbied Congress for financial relief for those who could not pay their many medical bills.

He believed asbestos fibers he brought home from the mine on his clothing also sickened his family and the families of others like him. Both of his children and his wife have asbestos-related health problems.

The article reports that Skramstad had several stomach tumors and had previously been diagnosed with asbestosis.  Of the 150 men that worked with Skramstad at Libby’s W.R. Grace vermiculite mine more than 40 years ago, all but 3 are dead.  The asbestos has also sickened approximately 1 of every 8 people that live in the small town of Libby.  Les did everything possible to get politicians to take those numbers seriously, enlisting the help of Montana Senator Max Baucus in the fight against W.R. Grace.

“Hopefully, there’s somebody who will take his place now,” said Les’ son, Brent Skramstad. “Because this is something you never want to be dropped. You want people to be held accountable for it.”

Senator Baucus spoke on the Senate floor Monday in honor of Skramstad.  The two men had formed a close bond. 

“Les Skramstad was not only an outspoken advocate for his town, which was horribly wronged at the hands of W.R. Grace, but he was also my friend,” Baucus said. Baucus recounted his first encounter with Skramstad, in 2000 after widespread illness in Libby was first linked to the mine.

Skramstad “pointed his finger and said to me, ‘I’ll be watching, senator.’ And he did,” Baucus said.