EVAN MECHAM, 83

Former Arizona governor

Evan Mecham, a firebrand conservative who served 15 months as Arizona's governor before a dramatic impeachment trial removed him from office in 1988, died Thursday, a former aide said. He was 83.

Mr. Mecham, had been in deteriorating health with Alzheimer's disease for years, said state Sen. Karen Johnson.

Mr. Mecham won a three-way race for governor in November 1986. In April 1988, the Republican was removed from office when the state Senate convicted him of obstructing justice and misusing $80,000 in state funds. He was the first U.S. governor impeached and removed from office in 59 years.

Mr. Mecham claimed the funds were the proceeds of his inaugural ball, which had been intended as campaign contributions. He insisted it was his money to spend as he saw fit, except for political purposes.