Took On Wife's Mantle On Montgomery Council

Donald Praisner, 76, who won public office last year to continue his late wife's work on the Montgomery County Council, died yesterday at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda after undergoing surgery for colon cancer.

Praisner spent his entire career, from 1960 to 1989, working for the CIA's directorate of intelligence as an analyst specializing in the Far East. He rose to become a manager and then a recruiter during his last two years at the agency.

It wasn't until the death of his wife, Marilyn Praisner, in February that he delved into Montgomery politics as a Democratic candidate for the east county seat.

His wife had served 17 years on the council and was its president in 2007. When a special election was scheduled to fill her spot, he announced his candidacy, saying that he was not interested in holding office long term and that he wanted only to finish her final term, which would have ended in 2010.

What mattered, Praisner said then, was preserving his wife's legacy on issues such as fiscal responsibility and growth that balanced further development with the need for adequate infrastructure.

Born in Carlisle, Pa., Donald Edward Praisner moved to Montgomery County as a teenager when his father, serving in the U.S. Army Band, was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, joined the first class to attend Montgomery College at Takoma Park and graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Maryland. He served for three years as a linguist in the U.S. Army.

In May, Praisner was sworn in to take over his wife's seat.

"He stepped in like an old pro," said his son-in-law Lee Klump, who served as his campaign treasurer. "Living with Marilyn during her entire career, he was very much up to date on the issues."

During his short time on the council, Praisner was known as a man of few words. When he did speak, it was often to add a touch of humor and common sense to the proceedings, said council member Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large). "He knew what he wanted to accomplish, what Marilyn's vision was. It kept him grounded, and he kept us grounded."

One of Praisner's first hearings, Trachtenberg recalled, was on a polarizing proposal to use a house in the Hillmead neighborhood to shelter a homeless family. After increasingly heated arguments from both sides, Praisner joked that he was glad one of his first hearings addressed such an "uncontroversial matter."

"He did that a lot, used humor to lighten the situation and remind people, 'You know, folks, let's be adults,' " Trachtenberg said.

Praisner served eight months before he was hospitalized this month after several weeks of stomach problems. Colon cancer was diagnosed, and on Monday he underwent surgery. He died at 1:45 p.m. yesterday, according to county officials.

The County Council, Board of Education and Planning Board issued statements yesterday mourning his loss. County Executive Isaiah Leggett (D) praised Praisner's "intellect, humor and refreshing candor."

According to the county code, a special election must be called to fill his seat because more than one year is left in the term.

Last night, however, county officials released a memo written by Praisner just before he entered surgery. In it, he urges his colleagues to appoint a replacement in the event of his death rather than call yet another special election.

"The cost of such an election could exceed $1.3 million at a time when our residents are struggling and County government is being forced to cut back on essential programs," his statement reads.

He is survived by three children, Alison Praisner-Klump of Silver Spring, Michael Praisner of Savage and Karen Cheek of Hawaii; and four grandchildren.