Leaders in Missouri and beyond are honoring the legacy of Carol Comer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources since 2017 who died Wednesday.
Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe paid tribute to Comer's strong willpower and dedication to Missouri. Kehoe said Comer took a hands-on approach to whatever issue she faced and immersed herself in information to understand both sides.
"Carol put her heart and soul into everything she wanted to do," Kehoe said. "Her motivation and passion to get things done was incredible."
Most of Kehoe's interactions with Comer were regarding Missouri State Parks, which is part of DNR. Missouri is one of only seven states that allow free access to state parks, and Comer was passionate to keep those opportunities available for all Missourians, Kehoe said.
Comer had been battling cancer for several years, but she continued to serve as director of DNR.
"She did not let anything stop her," Kehoe said. "She dealt with that battle with courage, and that same attitude is how she delivered to her team at DNR and to Missourians. She did not let that disease sidetrack her mission to make Missouri a better place."
"We're going to miss her incredibly, and I thank her for all that she did to move Missouri forward," he said.
U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan shared his condolences via Twitter.
"Our thoughts are with @MoDNR Director Carol Comer's family, friends, and colleagues," Regan wrote in a tweet. "We are grateful for her years of dedicated public service for her state and the people of Missouri. On behalf of @EPA, we offer our deepest condolences during this difficult time."
Before serving as director of Missouri DNR, Comer was the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management under former Gov. and Vice President Mike Pence.
Dru Buntin, who now is serving as acting director of DNR, said Comer was dedicated to running the agency when she came from Indiana. Comer spent much of her first year as DNR director traveling the state, and she visited every state park and historic site in Missouri. Buntin said this helped her understand how they could be improved because she wanted to ensure future generations could enjoy them.
"She really wanted to understand the state of Missouri," he said. "When Carol took a job, it became more than a job to her. It was her passion."
Beyond her accomplishments at DNR, Buntin said, Comer's lasting legacy is defined by how much she cared for her staff. After their staff meetings, he said, Comer would make sure everyone was taking care of themselves, and she would say, "You're the only you you are, so take care of you."
Despite facing the side effects of cancer treatments, Comer stayed upbeat and was resilient to be dedicated to her job and staff, Buntin said.
"She always had a smile and was always eager to laugh and enjoy the company of the people around her," he said. "We're going to miss that."
State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, was one of many members of the Legislature who lauded Comer's service to the state.
"Director Comer was a thoughtful and bright colleague," Bernskoetter said. "Her dedication to preserving our beautiful natural spaces and historic sites was evident in all she did. This state has lost a talented public servant, and I offer my condolences to her friends and family."
State Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, met Comer when she presented her department's budget requests. From his interactions with her, Razer, said it was clear she advocated for her department and staff with the sole intention of bettering the state.
"Director Comer was highly respected in Missouri government," Razer said. "She was a very talented and dedicated public servant. Missouri is fortunate to have had her leadership. Missouri's DNR is better off because of her."