Des Moines Water Works CEO and General Manager Bill Stowe resigned effective Tuesday, the same day he moved into Kavanagh House hospice in Des Moines to continue his battle against aggressive cancer, Water Works board member Graham Gillette confirmed this afternoon. 

Stowe has declined to receive visitors. He submitted his resignation Monday, effective Tuesday. 

The board named the utility’s longtime water distribution director, Ted Corrigan, acting CEO.  Just before he left for hospice, Stowe called Corrigan to ask if he needed anything. Corrigan said all was well, then hung up the phone and drove to the hospice to see Stowe. “That’s just the kind of dedication Bill has had to Water Works,” Gillette said.

Gillette saw Stowe last weekend and they discussed next steps as Stowe, the longtime public servant and former Des Moines public works director, faced growing symptoms.  Gillette visited Stowe again Tuesday night, and, “We did what we always do — we laughed, we griped,” Gillette said. 

Stowe took the utility’s top post in August 2012. Two weeks ago, he announced he had an aggressive form of cancer, but pledged to work as much as he could as he pursued limited treatment options.