Bob Bolen, American retail merchant, university administrator. Active, former chairman Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board; past president Texas Municipal League; past president National League Cities; former elder Westminister Presbyterian Church; honorary chairman board Casa Manana, Fort Worth. With United States Navy, 1944-1946. Member of Rotary.
Background
Bolen was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 10, 1926, as the eldest son of Milford Louis Bolen and Beatrice "Bee" Pinkerton Bolen. His father was a manager at McCrory Stores. The family moved more than twenty times when Bolen was a child due to his father's job transfers.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration, Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1948. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Texas Wesleyan University, 1987. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), University North Texas, 1991.
Career
Bolen was Fort Worth longest-serving mayor in history. He has been credited with spearheading the creation of Fort Worth Alliance Airport, which opened in 1989. Mayor Bolen also successfully recruited the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which opened the first currency production facility outside of Washington D.C. in Fort Worth during his tenure.
Bob Bolen initially enrolled at Texas A&M University, but left the school to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served as a gunnery officer on board the USS Iowa (BB-61) during the war. Later in life, Bolen was receive an honorary doctorate of humanities from Texas Wesleyan University and honorary doctorates in public service from both University of North Texas and Texas Christian University. Business career
Bolen's first business was the Bolen Toy Palace, which opened in the Westcliff Shopping Center in Fort Worth.
He later expanded that store into Bolen's Bike World. He also opened approximately twenty Hallmark Cards stores throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and the San Antonio metropolitan area. In the 1980s, Bolen partnered with a group of businessman and investors to create Cornerstone Investments, firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions.
Political career
Bolen was first elected to the Fort Worth City Council in 1979. He supported the redevelopment of downtown Fort Worth as mayor. He also spearheaded the creation of Fort Worth Alliance Airport, which has served as a major catalyst for growth in the region.
Bolen successfully persuaded the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to open a currency production facility in Fort Worth. Two years later, Fort Worth established sister city links with Trier, Germany, and Nagaoka, Japan. Bolen was elected to the board of directors of the National League of Cities in 1985.
He also became the President of the Texas Municipal League in 1987. In 1990, Bolen became the President of the National League of Cities. Bob Bolen retired as Mayor in 1991.
He then became an advisor to the chancellor of Texas Christian University. Bob Bolen died at his home in Fort Worth on the morning of January 6, 2014, at the age of 87.
Achievements
Membership
Active, former chairman Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board. Past president Texas Municipal League. Past president National League Cities.
Former elder Westminister Presbyterian Church. Honorary chairman board Casa Manana, Fort Worth. With United States Navy, 1944-1946.
Member of Rotary.
Interests
Avocation: golfing.
Connections
Married Frances Dolores Ciborowski, May 3, 1952. Children: Rick, Bob, Randy, Ronny, Terrie Ann. 1 foster child, Don Cosby.
Named Man of Year, B'nai B'rith Jewish Anti-Defamation League, 1984, Outstanding Alumni of Year, University Texas, Arlington, 1990, to Fort Worth Business Hall of Fame, 1986. Recipient Fort Worth Civic award Fort Worth Civic Association, 1985, Distinguished Salesman of Year award Sales and Marketing Executives, Fort Worth, 1987, Brotherhood citation National Conference Christians and Jews, 1989, Golden Deeds award Exchange Club of Fort Worth, 1991.
Named Man of Year, B'nai B'rith Jewish Anti-Defamation League, 1984, Outstanding Alumni of Year, University Texas, Arlington, 1990, to Fort Worth Business Hall of Fame, 1986. Recipient Fort Worth Civic award Fort Worth Civic Association, 1985, Distinguished Salesman of Year award Sales and Marketing Executives, Fort Worth, 1987, Brotherhood citation National Conference Christians and Jews, 1989, Golden Deeds award Exchange Club of Fort Worth, 1991.