TULSA, Okla. — Perhaps no name carries as much weight around Tulsa as LaFortune.
It is immortalized at LaFortune Park, LaFortune Tower, and in the halls of many other buildings around town.
Despite all the recognition, so many knew Robert J. LaFortune as "Mayor Bob." LaFortune served as mayor of Tulsa from 1970-78.
The LaFortune family moved to Tulsa, from South Bend, Indiana, in 1920. Seven years later, LaFortune was born at St. John's.
97 years later, he passed away "as the sun set on the city he loved," his grandson, Tulsa's Mayor GT Bynum, said.
2 News talked to Bynum's wife wife, Susan. "We are just really blessed, because we had so much time with Bob or ‘Papa’ as we call him and he’s a treasure, truly."
LaFortune and his late wife had six children and 16 grandchildren. His nephew Bill LaFortune also followed his path as mayor of Tulsa from 2002-2006. He's remembered by countless other family and friends, including John Couey.
Couey remembers LaFortune for his time on the trust of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. "Always trying to promote the city, always trying to enrich the city and make it better," he said.
LaFortune secured funding for construction of the PAC. He was considered a champion of downtown Tulsa and the entire city.
Mayor GT Bynum sent the following statement.
I can’t remember a time when my grandfather wasn’t my hero. I am grateful for all I learned from him about faith, family, and public service.
He showed through 75 years of service to Tulsa what a positive impact one person can make for the good. And he approached his work at the City of Tulsa as a public service, not as a political opportunity. He made a significant contribution to nearly every aspect of Tulsa’s community life through tireless effort because he loved our city so much.
Even at the age of 97, he remained excited about the city that Tulsa is becoming and believed that our best days are yet to come.
LaFortune was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1975 and the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 1988.
"Bob LaFortune cared about the long-term future, viability and economic progress of our city," former Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor said.
She told 2 News she would often call upon LaFortune for advice. So did other leaders, like County Commissioner Karen Keith, "I’m so grateful I could call him friend and that he was there for me."
LaFortune was 'friend' to many people and organizations in Tulsa. He served on the boards of the Bank of Oklahoma, the Williams Corporation and the Philbrook Museum. His quiet demeanor did not reflect the power he wielded.
"We just hope others see and model his way of being," Keith said.
His name is ingrained across Tulsa, but according to those who knew him best, he was most proud of family.
"I’ve never seen him smile more than the night that Mayor Bynum was elected. When he saw his grandson elected to office," Taylor said.
Keith saw that too. "I would see him out at events because he was always there to support GT," Keith said.
Susan Bynum knows her husband greatly admired LaFortune. "I think his goal was to make his grandfather proud, and I think he did," she said.
Indeed he did. LaFortune told 2 News just that in 2016.
"Motivation for him to run for mayor was has been there a long time. And so now we have the fulfillment of that," LaFortune said, soon after Bynum was elected to office.
The Tulsa Regional Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal also released a statement:
The Tulsa Regional Chamber extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Robert LaFortune. As a former Tulsa mayor and longtime philanthropist, Bob was a bedrock of community engagement and civic pride, attributes that live on through his grandson and current Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. Mayor LaFortune’s stamp on Tulsa is indelible, and his passing reminds us all of just how purposeful and impactful a life can be.
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