Robert Folsom
Robert Folsom | |
---|---|
51st Mayor of Dallas | |
In office 1976–1981 | |
Preceded by | Adlene Harrison |
Succeeded by | Jack Evans |
Personal details | |
Born | Dallas, Texas, U.S. | February 15, 1927
Died | January 24, 2017 Dallas, Texas, U.S. | (aged 89)
Spouse | Margaret Folsom (deceased) |
Residence(s) | Dallas, Texas |
Alma mater | Southern Methodist University |
Profession | real estate developer |
Robert "Bob" Folsom (February 15, 1927 – January 24, 2017) was mayor of Dallas from 1976 until 1981.[1][2][3] His power base was in Dallas' business establishment.[4]
Early life and education
Robert Folsom grew up in the
Business career
Folsom is a "legendary investor and developer....who built a fortune as a master of real estate[.]"[6] He chairs the board of directors of real estate development firm Folsom Properties, Inc.[3] Since the early 1980s he has served on the boards of directors of BeautiControl Cosmetics, Inc. and Alcatel USA, Inc. (formerly DSC Communications Corporation); he also serves on the board of the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.[3] He was also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Independent School District and Chairman of the Board of Methodist Hospital of Dallas. He received the Hugh Prather Award for his real estate leadership and the Oak Cliff Lions Club Humanitarian Award for Service to his community. Folsom is a Member of the Sunset High School Hall of Fame.
Dallas Chaparrals
Folsom started and owned the Dallas Chaparrals, the Dallas ABA team, with a group of other Dallas businessman. From 1967-1971, the team played in Dallas as one of the original 11 ABA teams. In 1971, Folsom leased the team to Red McCombs for a dollar for the season and then sold the team the following year to McCombs for $725,000. [7] McCombs would turn the team into the San Antonio Spurs.
Tenure as mayor
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Folsom was elected mayor of Dallas in April 1976, in a special election held to replace Wes Wise, who had resigned in order to run for Congress.[1] He served as mayor until 1981. During his time, he headed up several successful projects including: the tollway, Reunion Arena, and the Dallas Arts District [8]
Death
Folsom died on January 24, 2017, at his home in Dallas.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Simnacher, Joe (January 25, 2017). "Former Dallas Mayor Bob Folsom, who helped bring Reunion Arena, NBA, new DMA to city, dies at 89". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Texas Archival Resources Online".
- ^ a b c "Robert Folsom: Executive Profile & Biography". Bloomberg Businessweek. June 21, 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.[dead link]
- ^ Cullum, Lee (October 1984). "The Power Players: Who holds the cards now?". D Magazine. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
- ^ "Folsom - Robert S. Folsom - Methodist Health System Foundation". Archived from the original on 2015-05-28. Retrieved 2015-05-28.
- ^ Bush, Rudolph (26 November 2010). "Old lease could force Dallas to pay big for tiny part of convention hotel site". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
- ^ "Remember This Smug Spurs Fans: Your Team Was Hatched in Dallas".
- ^ "Robert Folsom Mayoral Papers". www.lib.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2015-05-28.