For U.S. Rep. David McKinley, the most important letters appearing after his name were never R, or even P.E.

What was most important to him was W.Va.

And while McKinley is, indeed, a true Republican — a principled, fiscally responsible conservative who never let extremism turn his head — and was able for years to boast he was the only professional engineer in Congress, his service never left any doubt that his devotion was to doing what was best for the people of West Virginia.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., tried her best to summarize what McKinley has meant for the Mountain State, as she spoke on the Senate floor ahead of his departure from Congress after representing West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District since 2011.

“David has played an essential role in advancing legislation critical to infrastructure, life-altering hearing aid devices and securing the pensions and retirement benefits that our West Virginia coal miners rely on,” Capito said. She could have spoken for hours about all McKinley has done not just for West Virginians, but for all Americans.

He has brought to his representation of the Mountain State a calm intelligence, relentless pursuit of knowledge, compassion, a willingness to work across the aisle, and — thank goodness — the influence of his wife Mary when her expertise in the healthcare field exceeded his own. Those qualities will be sorely missed.

“His contributions and the example he set will continue to stay with us always,” Capito said.

West Virginians must hope others will follow that example. Our state cannot afford to have leaders in Washington who only look out for themselves and their own political aspirations.

McKinley, a lifelong Wheeling resident, will no doubt find new ways to serve. That’s what he’s done throughout his life. He doesn’t seem to know any other way.

As we bid him farewell, then, it seems an inadequate expression of the gratitude owed to a man who has given so much to the state he loves, but we must say it anyway:

Thank you, sir. Your service to West Virginia has been truly appreciated.