Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Remembering Ed Babbitt

By Katie Knapp Schubert

Bellevue, NE – Bellevue Mayor Ed Babbitt has died.

Babbitt had been hospitalized since Sunday night after suffering an apparent heart attack. He was 70. Acting Mayor Gary Mixan and City Administrator Gary Troutman confirmed Babbitt's death Wednesday night in a statement on the city's web site: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce a great loss for the City of Bellevue. This evening, City Officials were informed by the Babbitt family that Bellevue Mayor Ed Babbitt has passed away. Mayor Ed Babbitt was a longstanding leader in our community. He was also very dedicated to his family and church. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Babbitt was elected Mayor of Bellevue in 2006.

Other statements on the death of Mayor Babbitt:

from Sarpy County Administrator Mark Wayne: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the Babbitt family. Mayor Babbitt was a friend and his love and strong promotion of the Bellevue community will be missed."

from Congressman Lee Terry: "I am saddened by the loss of Bellevue Mayor Ed Babbitt. He worked hard and loved the city and people of Bellevue. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family."

from Senator Ben Nelson: "Ed Babbitt was a dedicated public servant. His guiding hand helped lead the city of Bellevue through impressive growth for more than three decades. All of us will miss Ed, especially Barbara and his family, but we can take some comfort in knowing that he will always be remembered as a strong leader who cared deeply about Bellevue, and its people are better off because of his service."

from Bellevue Chamber of Commerce President Megan Lucas: "The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce joins the entire Bellevue-Offutt community in mourning the loss of our Mayor, Ed Babbitt. Mayor Babbitt worked diligently to execute his vision for Bellevue from fiscal health to quality of life issues, his commitment and passion for our community was always evident. Mayor Babbitt was a partner in our community and economic growth and a friend to business, military and all. Death often unites people. With Mayor Babbitt's untimely death, I hope that Bellevue is united in praying for Barbara and the family."

from the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners: "Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Babbitt family. Mayor Babbitt spent much of his career making Bellevue a better place to live and has always been one of its biggest promoters. His leadership and passion will be greatly missed in the Bellevue community."