TAMPA, Fla. — Former Florida Gov. Bob Martinez fondly remembers his time spent with Bob Dole.

Martinez said Dole was a lion of the Senate and one of the sharpest political minds of his time.

Martinez, also a former mayor of Tampa, said Dole could be tough but also had a sense of humor.

"When he met me we exchanged names and he simply says, 'I hope you didn't bring any gators with you' so that was sort of my introduction to Bob Dole.'"

Martinez has been reminiscing about the days gone by with Dole since learning of Dole's death last weekend at age 98.

Martinez joined the Republican Party in the mid-1980s and worked with Dole on many occasions. He said Dole was an effective minority leader in the Senate that could have tough debates with colleagues, but didn't hold a grudge like politicians often do today.

Former Florida Gov. Bob Martinez (right) knew Sen. Bob Dole well and worked with him many times. (Courtesy Bob Martinez)

Dole was also a World War II hero who overcame devastating wounds as a beacon of hope for the toughest generation, Martinez said.

"His heroic efforts in the second world war became well known,” he said. “And he was really a symbol for others who had tragedies in their life or had major injuries in their life, that you don't give up.  

“That you simply heal yourself, you work hard, and you make due with what you got. And I think he is a great example of that." 

The last time Martinez saw Dole was at George H.W. Bush's funeral in 2018.

Martinez said Dole was in a wheelchair by then, but he still had his memory. And on Friday as he is laid to rest, those that knew him carry his memory on.