Bryan Baum fought cancer until the very end.

Donations for a fundraiser started only a couple of months ago to support his cancer treatment continued pouring in as recently as a week ago. But on Thursday, the 66-year-old former Longmont mayor died.

Baum was born on July 22, 1958, in Kirksville, Missouri, to parents Lewis Carol Baum and Alyce Chase Baum. His two children, Chase Lewis Baum and Brooklynn Kay Baum, survive him, as does his former wife, Stephanie Kay Seale, with whom he maintained a close friendship for many years after their divorce, according to his obituary. He attended Truman State University in his hometown and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, subsequently moving to Longmont to begin his career.

Baum was also a highly involved member of the Longmont Rotary Club, serving in various capacities, including president and assistant district governor. He was heavily involved in several philanthropic pursuits, including the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the Boy Scouts of America; the latter earned him induction into the Order of the Arrow, the National Honor Society of Scouting.

Baum served as mayor of Longmont from 2009 to 2011.

Mayor Joan Peck noted Baum’s passing at the start of Tuesday night’s Longmont City Council meeting.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of former Mayor Bryan Baum,” she said. “Mayor Baum served our community with dedication and commitment, and his contributions will be remembered with gratitude. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

Katie Witt, who served on the City Council from 2009 to 2013, recalled Baum’s commitment to the community.

“One thing about Bryan is that he was truly committed to public service even when he wasn’t on the council. He was very involved with the Rotary Club, and he really cared about the citizens of Longmont,” Witt said. “I know a lot of people who got involved in politics because of Bryan. He spoke to a different group of residents who really appreciated him.”

Baum was recognized as one of the “Magnificent Men” of A Woman’s Work, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women “bridge the gap from need to financial stability.” And he was once selected as the “superconductor” of the Longmont Symphony, of which he was a board member for many years.

Alex Sammoury, who served alongside Baum as a council member, said he called Baum not just a coworker but a friend. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He had his heart in helping and improving the community, and I believe that’s what he tried to do in leading the City Council at the time.”

Baum ran for a second term in 2011, ultimately conceding to his opponent, Dennis Coombs, following a close race. Baum challenged Coombs in 2013 but came up short.

“I’m truly sorry for his son and daughter for their loss,” Coombs said in a text exchange with the Times-Call.

Baum’s Celebration of Life service will be from 2 to 5 p.m. July 20 at Flanders Park, 2115 North Shore Drive.

In lieu of flowers, friends of Baum are continuing to collect donations for the Baum family’s remaining medical bills.

To donate, go to tinyurl.com/2enje6sw.