The Fountain Hills and Fort McDowell communities lost three fine gentlemen leaders in recent weeks – Fire Chief Scott LaGreca, Pastor Glenn Atchinson and now, the latest, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation President Dr. Clinton Pattea.

Chief LaGreca was honored with a military and firefighter ceremony this past Saturday. In a somber and uplifting celebration of life, it became clear that the chief was loved and respected by his family, the personnel who served with and under him and by his many peers.

The chief helped the Fountain Hills Fire Department through some turbulent times, and he brought an unparalleled resume of experience to our small and unique community.

Pastor Glenn goes back a long ways with his history in Fountain Hills, serving as the founding pastor of the Presbyterian Church atop that famous bar stool. He was always an interesting interview and loved to tell you all kinds of things, half of which he didn't want to see in print. Glenn was an adventuresome sort who loved his motorcycling days and enjoyed a good laugh.

He wasn't your ordinary preacher, and he didn't shy away from local politics. You always knew where Glenn stood on anything. His flock loved him while he was the church’s pastor before his retirement.

President Pattea loved to joke that Fountain Hills was a suburb of the Fort McDowell Indian Community. And in a way you couldn't argue with the soft-spoken leader, given Fort McDowell's long history and the Yavapai association with this land long before Arizona was even a territory.

Mr. Pattea was an articulate man who loved helping his community grow and prosper. He was careful and deliberate and positive. He realized the importance of higher education, and he wanted the best for his people. His heart broke when he saw problems on the reservation. But, like Fort McDowell people in general, he wasn't afraid to stand for what he felt was right and take on the federal government or whoever else stood in the way. He and his tribe’s actions paved the way for modern-day Indian gaming in Arizona.

All three of these men had gigantic roles within their spheres of influence and were all dynamic in their own individual ways. They all left this world making it a better place than it was before their appearance and contributions. Fountain Hills and Fort McDowell owe these leaders giant debts of gratitude. Thank you, gentlemen, for your selfless work, energy, advice and ideas.