BISMARCK, N.D. — George Sinner, the farmer-philosopher who served as North Dakota’s governor during one of the state’s roughest economic times, has died.

He was 89.

His son, George B. Sinner, confirmed the death Friday. Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo posted on its website that he died at Eventide Senior Living Communities.

The Fargo native studied philosophy in college and considered becoming a priest. But family and public service beckoned.

George B. Sinner said his father never talked about money and was always focused on helping others.

“My dad picked up hitchhikers. He cared about immigrants. When I was a child he brought a young man home from one of the local colleges who was a visiting student from Africa, for Christmas,” his son said.

“That’s who he was and how he lived.”