Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow died Dec. 17, Sunday morning, 14 days before his planned retirement from the executive’s chair.

Enslow was 75 years old. A retirement party had been planned for Monday.

Enslow was elected mayor of Sumner for three consecutive four-year terms. He was elected to the City Council for two terms prior to running for the mayor’s seat. Enslow served as an elected official for 20 years in Sumner.

Courier-Herald columnist Rich Elfers said he spent time with Enslow on Thanksgiving. He asked Enslow what his plans were for retirement.

“He kept hedging,” Elfers said, whose son Andy was Enslow’s son-in-law.

“It’s sad,” Elfers said. “He was a great man and he is gone. I always thought he had a gift for administration. He had a big vision and he knew how to run a city.”

When Elfers was elected to the Enumclaw City Council it was Enslow’s work in Sumner that helped him understand the role of an elected official.

“He was able to do a lot,” Elfers said. “He got into politics and was able to change things. His influence set an example for me. Setting an example is one of the most powerful things someone can do…. I will miss him.”