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Former Mayor Bob Bolen, Fort Worth's Longest-Serving Leader, Dies At 87

Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
Bob Bolen, called "the people's mayor, served from 1982 -1991.

Former Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen is being remembered today for helping launch Alliance Airport and for bringing the Federal Bureau of Engraving and Printing to the city.

Bolen, 87, died this morning at his home.  He served as mayor from 1982 until 1991, longer than any other.

Betsy Price, the current Fort Worth mayor, says Bolen was able to cement some big economic agreements because of his knack for working with people.

"He could pull together a diverse group of people as well as anybody I’ve seen," Price said. 

"[He could] get them all in a room and hammer out solutions and more than likely people would walk out and think it was their own idea.  He just had that unique talent for bringing people together," she said.

Funeral services for Bolen are pending.

Former KERA staffer Shelley Kofler was news director, managing editor and senior reporter. She is an award-winning reporter and television producer who previously served as the Austin bureau chief and legislative reporter for North Texas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.