Intelligent, funny and a big heart.

That’s how some Round-house acquaintances remembered former three-term Republican state representative Eric Youngberg of Albuquerque, who died late last week at the age of 42.

His birthday was last Tuesday, noted former state representative Dan Foley of Rio Rancho. First elected in 2002, Youngberg’s district 23 encompassed portions of Northwest Albuquerque, Corrales and Rio Rancho. Youngberg successfully ran for re-election in 2004 and 2006, but lost his bid for a fourth term in November 2008 to Ben Rodefer of Corrales, a Democrat.

According to the New Mexico Blue Book 2007-08, Youngberg was a member of the Judiciary, Rules & Order of Business, and Voters & Elections committees in Santa Fe.

“He was my roommate, my office mate, when we moved up here,” Foley said. “I knew him very well. I just talked to him Tuesday … I guess he was taking a shower, stepped out of the shower and just died.

“Two things I would say (about Youngberg): He played soccer at (the University of Southern California) and has his law degree and is a CPA.”

But more than being an intelligent man, Foley said, Youngberg had a big heart.

“If you were friends of Eric’s — and Eric was a very good friend — he would do anything for anybody at anytime and expect nothing in return.”

Former Republican state senator Joe Carraro said the news of Youngberg’s passing left him “in shock.

“I’m in shock. I saw him a few months ago and (we both) kind of missed the Legislature. He was such a brilliant guy who was fun,” Carraro said. “He was a person you could always go to — we used to think up all kinds of plans and schemes to get things done. Eric was the one that always had that capability to get something done — and to enjoy it. He had such a great sense of humor and was a good person.”

Carraro said the most important thing to Youngberg was serving his constituents.

“We used to go to meetings together, figure out how to best serve our constituents,” he recalled. “It’s such a shame; he was a young, vital person. He was the type of person (that) you could look at him and he could bring a smile to your face.”

Carraro said education was also important to Youngberg.

“Education was a big thing with him. Sports was a big thing for him as well,” he said. “He knew accounting and he knew the law, two things that are key in the Legislature. Whenever there was an issue that dealt with something like that, he had the expertise. He was always helping out with the schools.”

Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack, who sat across the aisle, as they say, from Youngberg, also was saddened to hear of his passing.

“When I was a legislator with him, he and I worked collectively. He was instrumental in helping me understanding developers’ views and he was very supportive of juvenile issues,” Swisstack said. “I found Eric, with me, to always keep his word. He was a developer and businessman; he owned land in Rio Rancho.”

As of press time, additional details on Youngberg’s death and funeral arrangements were unavailable.