Robert Poydasheff
Bob Poydasheff | |
---|---|
66th Mayor of Columbus, Georgia | |
In office January 2003 – January 3, 2007 | |
Preceded by | Bobby Peters |
Succeeded by | Jim Wetherington |
Personal details | |
Born | Robert Stephen Poydasheff 13 February 1930 Bronx, New York, U.S. |
Died | 24 September 2020 Phenix City, Alabama |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Stacy Latto (m. 1954) |
Residence | Columbus, Georgia |
Alma mater | The Citadel (BA) Tulane University (JD) Boston University (MA) |
Occupation | Lawyer, Politician |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1955–1979 |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit | J.A.G. Corps |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Legion of Merit Commendation Medal |
Robert Stephen Poydasheff (13 February 1930 – 24 September 2020)[1][2][3] was an American attorney and politician who served one term as mayor of Columbus, Georgia, from 2003 to 2007. A retired military officer, he served in the United States Army for twenty-four years, retiring at the rank of colonel.
Early life and education[]
Poydasheff was born and raised in The Bronx in New York City; he attended DeWitt Clinton High School.[4]
He earned a B.A. in political science from The Citadel in 1954,[1] a J.D. from Tulane University Law School in 1957,[1] an M.A. in international relations from Boston University's Graduate Program in Berlin, Germany in 1967,[1] and attended The Hague Academy of International Law in The Netherlands.[citation needed]
Military service[]
In May 1955, Poydasheff was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry branch of the United States Army.[3] After going on leave without pay to attend law school, he was reassigned to the Judge Advocate General's Corps. His assignments included acting as chief counsel to several high-ranking officers involved in the My Lai Massacre and the Post Exchange scandal.[citation needed] A 1976 graduate of the United States Army War College, he served a total of twenty-four years, retiring as a colonel in 1979.[3] In 2012, the Army War College Foundation named Colonel Poydasheff an Outstanding Alumnus in recognition of his wide-ranging service to his community after his retirement from active duty.
Political career[]
Poydasheff served on the Columbus city council from 1994 to 2002.[citation needed] He was elected mayor in 2002, defeating fellow counselor Richard H. Smith and former state representative .[5] He was unsuccessful in his 2006 bid for re-election to a second term and was succeeded by former Columbus police chief Jim Wetherington.[6]
A Republican, Poydasheff described himself as ideologically similar to Colin Powell. He supported Democrat Teresa Tomlinson in her successful 2010 mayoral run.[7]
Personal life[]
Poydasheff was married to the former Anastasia "Stacy" Catherine Latto,[citation needed] and had two children, Catherine Alexandra Ross and Robert S. Poydasheff Jr.[1] Poydasheff died on 24 September 2020 after a brief illness.[8]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Bob Poydasheff". Ledger-Enquirer. Columbus, Georgia. July 14, 1994.
- ^ https://www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com/obituary/ColonelRtandFormerMayorRobertBob-PoydasheffSr
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Honorary Ranger Hall of Fame Inductee: Retired Colonel Robert S. Poydasheff". 75th Ranger Regiment. May 25, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2018 – via Facebook.
- ^ Williams, Chuck (March 14, 2015). "Sunday Interview with Bob Poydasheff: 'Fort Benning is Columbus and Columbus is Fort Benning'". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
- ^ Hyatt, Richard (September 13, 2002). "Poydasheff wins mayoral race with assist from Smyre". Ledger-Enquirer.[dead link]
- ^ "Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Coverage of 2006 Election Results".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Colonel Likes the Lady". June 14, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
- ^ https://www.wrbl.com/news/former-columbus-mayor-bob-poydasheff-dies-after-a-brief-illness/
External links[]
- 1930 births
- 2020 deaths
- Mayors of Columbus, Georgia
- Georgia (U.S. state) Republicans
- Boston University alumni
- The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina alumni
- Tulane University Law School alumni
- The Hague Academy of International Law people
- United States Army War College alumni
- DeWitt Clinton High School alumni
- Politicians from the Bronx
- Military personnel from New York City
- Military personnel from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Georgia (U.S. state) mayor stubs