Former Wasatch County Council Chair Karl McMillan died in hospice care on Thursday after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer.
McMillan was hopeful to retain Seat F on the County Council when he announced his reelection campaign in January. But in April, McMillan was forced to resign from his post altogether, citing serious health issues that required his full attention.
As chair, McMillan navigated the County Council through topics ranging from developments to county finances and retaining the rural character of Wasatch County. Most notably, McMillan served on the Wasatch Open Lands Board, helping facilitate conservation easements on more than 350 acres of land.
County Councilor Erik Rowland assumed McMillan’s post as chair after his fellow councilor’s resignation. Rowland, however, considered McMillan to be a friend as well as a fellow public servant.
The pair met for the first time when they were sworn in together as County Council members in 2023. Rowland said McMillan came off as quiet, but as they began to deliberate over county operations, Rowland started to see more of McMillan’s personality and sense of humor.
“He was very blunt and straight to the point and just a man of very few words,” Rowland said. “But when he did speak, it was very meaningful.”
Rowland said he learned to appreciate that trait in McMillan over their time as County Council members.
“It was refreshing because you have those who love to sometimes hear their own voice, I think, and end up saying nothing,” Rowland said. “And here’s Karl with just a nod and a word; he could say a whole volume. It was pretty amazing.”
That’s a sentiment echoed by former longtime County Councilor Steve Farrell, who knew McMillan since his teenage years as a high school student in Wasatch County.
“He didn’t talk a lot, but when he did talk, he talked with force,” Farrell said.
McMillan worked as an engineer in Heber City before sitting on the County Council, according to Farrell. Throughout his life in Wasatch County and his time as an elected official, Farrell said McMillan had a goal to serve his community and protect the character of the place he called home.
“His only agenda was to serve the people of Wasatch County to the best of his ability, and he proved that time and time again,” Farrell said.
Rowland said McMillan came across as humbled and grateful for an opportunity to help the community and show his “deep love for the county, for the people.”
“I think that love really came across, and how he wanted to serve the county and just try and honor and to preserve as much of that heritage as he could,” Rowland said.
McMillan’s knowledge of the people, his community and the history of Wasatch County helped shape his decisions and priorities as far as what he was willing to “fight for,” Rowland said.
When asked what he thought McMillan was most proud of, Rowland said it was maintaining the heritage of Wasatch County. That’s especially when it came to open space and being involved with decisions that helped manage growth.
“He’s seen places that, as a kid, he had run around in fields and mountains and hillsides, and I think he probably never would have imagined it was all going to be built out,” Rowland said.
McMillan held developers to their word, Rowland said.
“I think his contribution was just that reminder that there is an incredible value, and I think it’s just incredible what this community has as a heritage, what we hold true and hold important to us,” Rowland said. “He always seemed to remind us of that.”
McMillan encouraged the county to remember its history and avoid repeating mistakes of the past.
Farrell said it was McMillan’s dedication and practical knowledge that stood out to him most. A “silent giant,” McMillan will be remembered as one of the “best county commissioners that County Council has ever seen,” Farrell said.
“Because that was his only reason to be involved with the county, was his dedication to service,” Farrell said.
Rowland joked that he thought McMillan joined the County Council because he lost a bet.
“It just fell into his lap and, because of that, I think it really afforded him to just speak his mind,” Rowland said.
The County Council chair said there are many small memories he will remember with McMillan.
“He had no political correctness,” Rowland said with a laugh. “He would say whatever he wanted … I’d go ‘Karl, the mic’s on!’”
His mannerisms, Rowland said, might be colorful. But “that’s just Karl,” Rowland said.
Farrell said it was a scary moment when he found out his friend was sick.
“He thought he could beat it, and he worked every way that he could to beat that,” Farrell said. “It just was bigger than he could handle.”
Rowland said he went into denial. It wasn’t until his last meeting with McMillan in hospice care that Rowland accepted he may not see his friend again. That’s when it became real for Rowland.
“I just had that really clear impression that this was going to be the last time I’d have a chance to sit down with him and I just looked at him and asked him, ‘Hey, what’s important, Karl?’” Rowland said. “He didn’t even hesitate. It was just almost like he was expecting the question.”
McMillan’s answer was simple. Family.
“He goes, ‘Do whatever you can to keep family. That’s all I think about. I don’t think about my house. I don’t think about any of the things I’ve got. I’m just thinking about my kids and my family,’” Rowland said.
When Rowland stepped into McMillan’s spot as County Council chair, he said that he started to ask himself: What would McMillan do?
“He’s been my north star in a lot of ways,” Rowland said.
Rowland said he will never forget McMillan’s stoic nature, his sense of humor and his smile, even throughout McMillan’s battle with pancreatic cancer.
“It was so powerful,” Rowland said. “I think the community will remember him for that hard work, honesty and respect and love for Wasatch County. I don’t think anyone could ever question that.”
Farrell said he will remember McMillan as a good man.
“And the dedication he showed to the things that he believed in,” Farrell said.