Wichita ? Chris Cherches, who was Wichita’s city manager for 18 years before resigning amid controversy last year, has been diagnosed with cancer, former Mayor Bob Knight said.

“It’s very, very serious,” Knight said. He spoke with permission of Cherches’ wife, Susan, after the couple declined interview requests.

The Wichita Eagle reported that people close to Cherches have said he has pancreatic cancer that spread to his liver.

“There is a deep sense of grief and disbelief,” Knight said. “Chris is a very private man, but he needs to realize there are literally thousands of people who care about him.”

Cherches, 71, became city manager in Wichita in 1985. He and Knight, who served seven terms as mayor, worked together over the years to help revitalize the city’s downtown area.

Knight said Cherches’ cancer was diagnosed two weeks ago after his return from a trip to Africa with his wife and some friends. He said Cherches became ill in Africa and was jaundiced when he got back.

Knight said Cherches has spent a few days in the hospital, taking medication for pain and weighing treatment options.

Cherches resigned at the end of 2003 after months of news reports about ethical and operational problems at City Hall. The City Council hired him as a consultant for up to nine months in a deal that extended his health insurance coverage for the rest of this year.