Bob Bolen
| |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Fort Worth, Texas | |
| In office February 2, 1982[1] – May 21, 1991[1] | |
| Preceded by | Richard Newkirk (interim) |
| Succeeded by | Kay Granger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 10, 1926 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | January 6, 2014(2014-01-06) (aged 87) Fort Worth, Texas |
| Spouse | Fran Bolen (1952-2014) |
| Profession | Politician and businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
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Robert Eugene "Bob" Bolen (April 10, 1926 – January 6, 2014) was an American politician and businessman who held office as the Mayor of Fort Worth, Texas, from 1982 to 1991. Bolen was Fort Worth longest-serving mayor in history.[2][3][4] He has been credited with spearheading the creation of Fort Worth Alliance Airport, which opened in 1989.[2] Mayor Bolen also successfully recruited the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which opened the first currency production facility outside of Washington D.C. in Fort Worth during his tenure.[2][3]
Bolen was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 10, 1926, as the eldest son of Milford Louis Bolen and Beatrice "Bee" Pinkerton Bolen.[5] His father was a manager at McCrory Stores.[5] The family moved more than twenty times when Bolen was a child due to his father's job transfers.[5]
Bob Bolen initially enrolled at Texas A&M University, but left the school to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II.[3] He served as a gunnery officer on board the USS Iowa (BB-61) during the war.[3] Bolen returned to College Station, Texas after the end of the World War II, where he finished his bachelor's degreeinbusiness administration at Texas A&M in 1948.[3] Later in life, Bolen was received an honorary doctorateofhumanities from Texas Wesleyan University and honorary doctorates in public service from both University of North Texas and Texas Christian University.[3]
He married his wife, the former Fran Ciborowski, in 1952 and the couple soon moved to Fort Worth, Texas. Fran Bolen died in 2021.[5]
Bolen's first business was the Bolen Toy Palace, which opened in the Westcliff Shopping Center in Fort Worth.[4] He later expanded that store into Bolen's Bike World.[3][4] He also opened approximately twenty Hallmark Cards stores throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and the San Antonio metropolitan area.[3] In the 1980s, Bolen partnered with a group of businessman and investors to create Cornerstone Investments, firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions.[4]
Bolen was first elected to the Fort Worth City Council in 1979.[3] In 1982, Bolen won a special mayoral election to replace former Fort Worth Mayor Woodie Woods.[3] He supported the redevelopment of downtown Fort Worth as mayor.[5] He also spearheaded the creation of Fort Worth Alliance Airport, which has served as a major catalyst for growth in the region.[5] Bolen successfully persuaded the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to open a currency production facility in Fort Worth.[5] Under Bolen, Fort Worth established its first sister city relationship with Reggio Emilia, Italy.[3] Two years later, Fort Worth established sister city links with Trier, Germany, and Nagaoka, Japan.[3]
Bolen was elected to the board of directors of the National League of Cities in 1985.[3] He also became the President of the Texas Municipal League in 1987.[3] In 1990, Bolen became the President of the National League of Cities.[3]
Bob Bolen retired as Mayor in 1991.[5] He then became an advisor to the chancellor of Texas Christian University.[5]
Bob Bolen died at his home in Fort Worth on the morning of January 6, 2014, at the age of 87.[2] His funeral, which was attended by hundreds, was held at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Worth on January 11, 2014.[5] He was survived by his wife, Fran Bolen; their daughter, Terrie Manning; two sons, Randy Bolen and Ron Bolen; and their foster son, Don Cosby.[5]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Mayor of Fort Worth, Texas 1982–1991 |
Succeeded by |
