Richard Daines, M.D. '78, former health commissioner and a leader in the battle against childhood obesity, died unexpectedly Feb. 26 at his home in Stanfordville, N.Y. He was 60.

Daines was chief executive of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in Manhattan when former Gov. Eliot Spitzer called on him to serve as health commissioner in 2007. As commissioner, the former Mormon missionary advocated a tax on soft drinks and other beverages to fund programs to fight childhood obesity.

Cornell President David Skorton said Daines was a respected and beloved Cornellian.

"Richard Daines was an outstanding physician, a proud Cornell alumnus, a loving husband and parent, including father of two Cornellians, and a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about public health and the future of health care within our state," Skorton said. "With his passing, New York state has lost a great leader, and we at Cornell have lost a dear friend."

Despite a campaign that included videos on YouTube, the so-called "fat tax" initiative was ultimately unsuccessful; but Daines later asked the Department of Agriculture to bar New York City food stamp recipients from using the stamps to buy sugary drinks. That request is pending.

In 2009 Daines worked to develop public health policy surrounding the swine flu epidemic. He also created an office in the Health Department to focus on health information technology and oversaw the consolidation and closing of nursing homes and hospitals to reduce the cost of Medicaid.

Daines stepped down from office in January and was about to begin a post as a visiting scholar at the New York Academy of Medicine.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo expressed sadness at the news.

"I was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing this weekend of Dr. Richard F. Daines. Dr. Daines worked tirelessly to improve the health of all New Yorkers, and his knowledge and deep faith has left a lasting impression on all those who worked with him," Cuomo told the Associated Press. "This is a tremendous loss not just for the state, but for the entire medical community."

Daines is survived by his wife, Linda, three children and a grandson.