The chairman of the Montana Public Service Commission remembers his predecessor, Bill Gallagher, as a man of courage and grace.
Gallagher died of pancreatic cancer late last week.
Current PSC Chair, Brad Johnson, says Gallagher did a magnificent job of working with a then-politically divided and rancorous Public Service Commission.
"When he came into office there was a certain amount of, shall-we-say, 'turmoil' going on at the Commission. Under Bill’s chairmanship he was able to restore a real sense of comity and professionalism", says Johnson.
Gallagher served on the PSC from 2011 until earlier this year. During his tenure he oversaw the sale of 11 PPL Montana hydroelectric dams to NorthWestern Energy.
Brad Johnson says Gallagher handled his diagnosis and final days with uncommon grace.
"His strong faith and commitment to family and his approach to dealing with a really rotten hand that had been dealt to him was truly remarkable."
The Associated Press reports Bill Gallagher’s funeral service is scheduled for Thursday at Helena’s Last Chance Chapel, followed by burial Saturday.