JUNEAU -- McDowell Group Inc. says founder Eric McDowell has died following a brief illness. He was 69.

Managing Principle Jim Calvin says McDowell had suffered a systemic staph infection that had a range of side effects. He had been hospitalized in Seattle when he died Monday.

Calvin praised McDowell as a "brilliant researcher, consultant and facilitator" whose wisdom will be missed.

The company is billed as one of the leading Alaska firms specializing in research and consulting. McDowell, is credited with, among other things, designing a study that examined the cost of living throughout Alaska and, according to his company, set the standard for cost-of-living research in Alaska.

McDowell is survived by a son, Chris, and his partner, Lana Tolls.

Services are planned for Aug. 22 in Juneau.