NEW BUFFALO, Mich.—New Buffalo’s city manager, David Richards, has passed away, according to an update shared by the city on Monday.

The city released the following statement on December 14:

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform you that David Richards, City Manager of the City of New Buffalo has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of great sorrow. Mr. Richards served as City Manager since 2017 and had many wonderful successes in his time here. Most notably, bringing the City into a strong financial position which was not the case when he took office, and a brand new downtown. He will be sorely missed because he was a great City leader, friend, and coworker.

Sincerely, The Council, Management, and Employees of the City of New Buffalo.

In a previous update posted to the city’s website on December 3, officials said that Richards had faced complications from the COVID-19 virus and was hospitalized.

Richards has been the City Manager of New Buffalo since 2017.