Former chief LV planner Saylor dies

Monday, April 18, 2005 | 11:05 a.m.

Longtime Las Vegas city planner Donald Saylor died Friday at a local hospital. He was 82.

Saylor, who had lived in Las Vegas since 1956, retired from the city in March 1990.

Saylor had previously served as a deputy city manager and city planning director before being named special projects manager.

While serving as special projects manager, Saylor led the city's efforts to get a high -speed train built between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

"As city planning director, he did much to shape the the development of the city as it is today," said city engineer Charlie Kajkowski, who has been with the city more than 30 years.

"The Summerlin and Peccole Ranch developments took off during his tenure."

City Public Works Director Richard Goecke remembered Saylor as a mentor.

"I had a great deal of respect for Don -- he certainly knew the city well," Goecke said. "He helped me in learning about the organization and how it worked."

Born July 22, 1922 in Eau Claire, Wis., Saylor served in the Air Force during World Ward II. He was a lifetime member of the Elks.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughters, Sherene Thompson of Montgomery, Texas, and Lori Ciano of San Jose, Calif; two sons, Kirk Saylor and Mark Saylor, both of Las Vegas; and four grandchildren.

Visitation is private. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St.

The family requests donations to Calvary Lutheran Church, 800 N. Bruce St., Las Vegas, NV 89101.