Former Tulsa mayor, civic leader Robert LaFortune dies at 97
A Tulsa native and independent oil operator, LaFortune was the city's mayor for four terms, from 1970 to 1978, before deciding not to run again. Prior to that, he served as city streets commissioner. Former Tulsa mayor and civic leader Robert LaFortune has passed away at the age of 97. LaFruitune served four terms as mayor from 1970 to 1978 and served seven elected terms. He also served as city streets commissioner. His legacy has been carried on by succeeding generations of his family, including current Mayor G.T. Bynum and former mayor and current District Judge Bill LaFune. Among his achievements were the passage of bond issues for streets and parks and a 1-cent sales tax increase in 1971. Former Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage, who served from 1992-2002, described him as a gentleman and gentle man who brought people to consensus and not be disagreeable in the process.
Published : a month ago by tim stanley, Tim Stanley Tulsa World in
Former Tulsa mayor and civic leader Robert LaFortune died Wednesday, his family said.
He was 97.
A Rosary service is set for 7 p.m. April 18 at Cascia Hall's St. Rita Chapel. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. April 19 at Christ the King Catholic Church. Fitzgerald Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A Tulsa native and independent oil operator, LaFortune was the city's mayor for four terms, from 1970 to 1978, before deciding not to run again. Prior to that, he served as city streets commissioner.
He served seven elected terms between the two offices.
LaFortune's political legacy has been carried on in Tulsa by succeeding generations of his family. Current Mayor G.T. Bynum is LaFortune's grandson, and former Tulsa mayor and current District Judge Bill LaFortune is a nephew.
"He loved Tulsa so much," Bynum said of his grandfather. "He's just a wonderful example of what an impact one person can have if they devote themselves tirelessly in service to one community.
"I can't remember a time in my life that he wasn't my hero. Everything I know about being a good husband, father and community member I learned from him."
A Republican, Robert J. LaFortune Sr.'s tenure as mayor coincided with an era of rapid growth for Tulsa. The city's freeway system was largely completed during his time in office, and the Williams Center was built, including the Bank of Oklahoma Tower and the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
The latter, in fact, was a passion project of LaFortune's.
As mayor, he helped forge the then-innovative public-private partnership that funded construction of the PAC, going on to serve as a longtime member of its governing trust. He was honored at the PAC in 2017 with the unveiling of his portrait next to the entrance to the Robert J. LaFortune Studio.
Among his other achievements as mayor, LaFortune was proud of the passage of bond issues for streets and parks and a 1-cent sales tax increase in 1971 that helped get the city out of a tight financial bind.
"There is no one else in the city who sees what the mayor sees," LaFortune said later, reflecting on his tenure. "There's just nothing else in Tulsa to compare with it. It has been a rare experience."
After he decided against seeking reelection, public opinion held that LaFortune probably would run for governor or senator. But while not ruling it out, he chose instead to focus on business and civic affairs.
Former Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage, who served from 1992-2002, described LaFortune as "a gentleman and gentle man" who came to be the "standard-bearer" for all Tulsa mayors.
"By that I mean he was unequivocal in his positions at times. But he managed to bring people to consensus and not be disagreeable in the process."
Savage said she would sometimes receive notes from LaFortune while she was in office.
"And I called and consulted him on several occasions that related to city policy issues," Savage said. "He was gracious; he was accessible; and he was a good, good friend.
"I think he was a friend of good government, and that's what he always wanted to see Tulsa achieve," she added. "It didn't matter that I was a Democrat and he was a Republican. It didn't matter."
LaFortune had already left office by the time Bynum was a small child. So most of what he learned about his grandfather's public service was from what people in the community told him later.
"They always said the same things: that he listened to all sides before making up his mind. And even if they disagreed with a decision, they knew he was doing what he thought was best for Tulsa. For my grandfather, the job was about public service, not politics. That's been my model for public life."
While LaFortune never offered him unsolicited advice, Bynum didn't hesitate to reach out to him during his time as a city councilor or mayor.
"I had a direct line to the man I considered the best public servant in the history of the United States of America. And you bet I used it."
LaFortune's civic, philanthropic and cultural interests were many.
He carried on his family's long association with St. John Medical Center, serving as chairman of the board. The St. John LaFortune Cancer Center is named in his honor.
He served on the boards of the Indian Nations Council of Boy Scouts, Cascia Hall, Philbrook Museum of Art, Downtown Tulsa YMCA and Children's Medical Center.
LaFortune enjoyed a long relationship with the Tulsa Area United Way, helping lead successful fundraising campaigns. He was named an honorary life member of the organization.
He had served on the Tulsa City-County Library Trust and the Tulsa Chamber's Cultural Affairs Committee and as chairman of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.
He also served on the boards of the Bank of Oklahoma and the Williams Cos., as well as the advisory board of the University of Tulsa's College of Engineering.
LaFortune was an honoree of both the Tulsa Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and was the recipient of a Governor's Arts Award in 1990.
He attended the University of Tulsa and Purdue University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in chemical engineering.
He served a year with the U.S. Merchant Marine and later 12 years as a captain in the Air Force Reserve.
LaFortune worked in chemical and pipeline coating sales and as a rotary drilling contractor before becoming an independent oil operator.
When he first ran for office in 1963, LaFortune had no political experience. Prodded by some Republican friends to run for mayor, he declined but then decided he'd try for streets commissioner. The role felt like a better fit, given his engineering degree. He would hold the office from 1964 to 1970.
LaFortune experienced one of his few low points in office in 1973 when as mayor he led an unsuccessful effort to change the city's form of government.
Advocating for a charter revision, LaFortune hoped to switch from the city commission to a strong mayor-city council system.
The effort was defeated. However, many years later, as LaFortune predicted, the charter was revised.
Strong mayor-council remains the city's form of government today.
LaFortune was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannie LaFortune; parents, Joseph and Gertrude LaFortune; and siblings, Jeanne Henry, Mary Ann Wilcox and Buddy LaFortune.
Survivors include six children, Suzie Bynum, Kay Phoenix, Bob LaFortune Jr., Annette Murray, John LaFortune and Phil LaFortune; 16 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
World staff writer Kevin Canfield contributed to this story.
Topics: In Memoriam