I.F. city councilman dies of heart complications
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IDAHO FALLS — Idaho Falls City Councilman Dee Whittier died Sunday night due to complications from a heart attack several days earlier. The councilman was 57.
City officials said Whittier suffered a heart attack last week and underwent quadruple bypass surgery. The Post Register reports that “he remained in critical condition at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and died of complications relating to the heart attack and surgery.”
In a statement released by the city, son Sam Whittier praised his father’s work as a husband, father and public servant.
“In recent years we saw him find great joy in serving the public through the City Council, which had been his goal for many years,” Sam Whittier. “Although we ache for more time with him, he left us much to celebrate and his legacy will be felt by many throughout the community.”
Dee Whittier was one of Idaho Falls’ most junior council members. The Idaho Falls native was elected in a 2013 runoff election with council members Ed Marohn and Barbara Ehardt. Whittier took office in January 2014.
“Councilman Whittier brought a refreshing attitude to the Council – that of eagerness and optimism about what is possible,” Mayor Rebecca Casper said in an email. “As a new council member he learned new areas of city management very quickly, adding to his already rich knowledge of planning and zoning. His style was a practical one – he sought solutions and compromises. He demonstrated a desire to be fiscally responsible – a great quality in one who helps oversee public funds. Dee’s influence will be greatly missed on the Council.”
Idaho Falls officials won’t make any decisions about how Whittier’s responsibilities will be distributed to other city officials until after the funeral.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at the Idaho Falls LDS South Stake Center, 2051 S. Emerson Ave., according to Coltrin Mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to the family here.