Former City Councilmember David Luse died yesterday at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina after suffering an unexpected cardiac problem. David served on the Eden Prairie City Council from February 5, 2002 through December 31, 2002. He was 50 years old when he died.
David’s term of service on the Council was relatively short. He was appointed to the Council when current Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens vacated her Council seat to become Mayor following the death of former Mayor Dr. Jean Harris. David was appointed to the position because he wanted to represent the business community on the Council. He also wanted to help select the new city manager.
That “new city manager” that David helped to select is me. Through the selection process and then working for David for the latter half of 2002, I got to know him pretty well. David was a character. His approach to government was so different that people inside city government often did not understand what he wanted to accomplish. He had a unique point of view, and a unique way of expressing himself. Whenever I figured out what he was trying to tell me, more often than not, his advice was right on the mark. Way more often than not, actually.
There was never any doubt about where David’s heart was. He loved Eden Prairie and he was proud of his service on the Council. I’ll miss David. He helped me get to Eden Prairie, and for that I will be forever grateful to him.
I extend my sincerest condolences to the Luse family on behalf of Eden Prairie’s elected officials and city staff.
