City Council President Kerry Kincaid lauded him for his “unprecedented” service, both on the City Council, the County Board (which he once chaired), and on numerous state and local committees and commissions. “Council Member Duax was a dedicated public servant, with a passion for his hometown,” Kincaid said. “His legacy will have a lasting impact on our community.”

Other council colleagues honored Duax in social media posts Friday. “Dave had a true appreciation of being a public servant – of trying to solve problems to make our community and our society a better place,” Councilman Andrew Werthmann wrote on Facebook. “He saw government as a force for good – and that’s why he served.”

As Duax told Volume One in a 2009 candidate interview, “We need to think boldly, and out of the box. We should not just talk about ideas, but realize the ‘urgency of the present.’ ” With his statesmanlike manner and penchant for public pronouncements and insightful inquiries during council meetings, Duax embodied such boldness, as well as civility and respect for government institutions and processes.

Fellow Councilman Eric Larsen wrote Friday that Duax was “an iconic public servant and leader.” Earlier in the week, when Duax was moved to hospice care at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Larsen noted Duax’s long experience both on the City Council and County Board. “It is very sad to see his service come to an end,” Larsen wrote. “He was a strong leader to the end and I know he would have gladly served another 30 years if he could.”

Duax served on the Eau Claire County Board from 1974 to 1983, and between 1987 and 1994 held a variety of posts in the administration of Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson. Later, he was director of development and director of communications at Sacred Heart Hospital.

On Tuesday, State Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, who served on the City Council with Duax and said he’d known him most of his life, spoke on the floor of the state Assembly about Duax’s legacy. “David has always worked across party lines,” Wachs said. “He’s been a standup guy, a great friend, and a champion for the city of Eau Claire.”

Although he was hospitalized following a brain bleed in January, Duax was re-elected without opposition to another three-year term on the City Council April 7. During his decade on the council, Duax advocated for downtown redevelopment, promoted the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, and authored a citywide smoking ban, among many other things.