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Montgomery County Councilman Don Praisner died at 1:45 p.m. Friday at Suburban Hospital following surgery earlier this week for colon cancer. He was 76.

Praisner (D-Dist. 4) of Calverton was admitted to the hospital last weekend for tests related to ongoing stomach discomfort, according to his daughter Alison Klumpp. He then was transferred to the intensive care unit of the Bethesda hospital for further tests. Shortly afterward, he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery on Monday.

He had missed the past two council meetings due to what was then an unknown illness. Praisner took office last May, taking over the seat of his late wife, longtime councilwoman Marilyn Praisner, who died last Feb. 1 following complications from heart surgery.

Klumpp could not be reached for comment.

"We are a richer Montgomery County because Don Praisner lived, and this is a great loss to the county he loved," County Executive Isiah Leggett said in a statement. "We will miss his leadership and his activism."

County Council President Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg called Praisner a "very strong voice for his community," and said, "It is very, very sad news, and I know I speak for all my colleagues when I say our hearts go out to the family and to his staff and to all who knew Don."

Praisner's term ends in 2010. Under county code, the council has to schedule both a primary and general election within 30 days to elect a replacement, said Michael Fadden, a council attorney.

If the election cycle follows the cycle that was held last year after Marilyn Praisner's death, the new Dist. 4 council member would not be seated until after the council has voted on the fiscal 2010 budget.

Under the recently passed "Ficker amendment," the council — now at eight members — would not be allowed to pass a budget that exceeds the county's charter limit on property taxes, which restricts the growth in the budget to the rate of inflation. Ficker's amendment, which approved by voters in November, requires all nine members to vote for a budget that exceeds the limit.

Leggett and council leaders have said they will not raise taxes in the budget this year.

In his short tenure on the council, Don Praisner served on the Management and Fiscal Policy and Public Safety Committees.

"We are shocked and saddened of the news of Don's passing," said Councilman Michael J. Knapp (D-Dist. 2) of Germantown. "While he initially came to the council to carry on Marilyn's legacy, he quickly became his own man and a passionate advocate for the people of District 4.  They — and we — shall miss him greatly."

Praisner was sworn into the Dist. 4 seat May 27 after defeating a full field of candidates. He gained support from Leggett (D) and several council members.

"I feel a deep sense of personal loss at the passing of Don Praisner. He was a steadfast supporter and friend of mine. He lived a life marked by integrity, commitment to excellence, and duty," Leggett's statement said. "He served his country during many years in the Central Intelligence Agency. He represented the constituents of District 4 on the County Council for eight months, demonstrating his intellect, humor, and refreshing candor — and taking up the work begun by his dear Marilyn."

 County school board member Nancy Navarro (Dist. 5) of Silver Spring called Praisner's death a "tragic event."

 "Our prayers and thoughts are with the children and grandchildren. It's just a very sad moment," said Navarro, who lost the Dist. 4 special election to Praisner last year.

Before his council tenure, Praisner served on a number of civic groups and homeowners associations, including as a past president and board member of CHI Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides services to individuals with severe disabilities. His early political involvement included a stint as the Democratic precinct chair for the Calverton area.

Longtime Praisner family friend and former state senator of 32 years Ida Ruben was with Praisner at Suburban Hospital the night before his surgery and was not optimistic about his condition at the time.

"I knew he was facing a rough road and an uphill battle," said Ruben, a Hillandale resident who was the Dist. 20 senator while Marilyn Praisner was on the council. "I felt sadly for him and for the family. It's been a hit, first for their mother, then for him."

Del. Herman L. Taylor Jr. (D-Dist. 14) of Ashton remembered Praisner for helping him get elected to office in Annapolis.

"The loss of him is the loss of a real public servant," said Taylor, who represented Praisner's district in Annapolis. "He was truly committed to the Democratic Party, but he was committed first and foremost to his family and his community."

Praisner is survived by three grown children and four grandchildren.