An article that appeared in the Star Tribune in February 1999 described the role of Minneapolis city budget director Don Siggelkow as "the brake man in city budget deliberations with the mayor and the City Council."
Siggelkow told the paper, "We always have to balance tax policies and service demands."
That month, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Superintendent David Fisher, facing an accelerating demand for new athletic fields and other recreational opportunities for youths in the city, recruited Siggelkow to become the assistant superintendent for development with the Minneapolis Park Board.
After serving for six years as the city budget director, Siggelkow accepted the job, which was focused on finding money to pay for programming, especially new youth initiatives. "It's a recognition that it's an area that needs attention," he said at the time. "We're going to look at new things we can do."
Siggelkow, of St. Anthony, died of cancer Feb. 29. He was 62.
On March 4, the Minneapolis Park Board passed a resolution to honor Siggelkow's service to Minneapolis. "Don was a leader, mentor, and friend to staff, colleagues and board members," it said. "Don led a life that is worthy of emulation and recognition."
Siggelkow was born on Oct. 29, 1957, in Duluth to Edwin and Sylvia Siggelkow. The family moved to St. Anthony in August 1967. He graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1976, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in public administration from Arizona State in 1984.
He began his career as a management analyst for the city of Glendale, Ariz., and served as the city budget director for Davenport, Iowa, before returning to Minneapolis.