Harry E. Rodenhizer Jr.

Harry E. Rodenhizer Jr. (December 20, 1927 – October 10, 2007[1]) was a two-time mayor of Durham, North Carolina.

Harry E. Rodenhizer Jr.
Mayor of Durham, North Carolina
In office
1991–1993
Preceded byChester L. Jenkins
Succeeded bySylvia S. Kerckhoff
In office
1979–1981
Preceded byWade L. Cavin
Succeeded byCharles Markham
Personal details
Born(1927-12-20)December 20, 1927
Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedOctober 10, 2007(2007-10-10) (aged 79)
Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Resting placeMaplewood Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Dorris Fay Taylor
(m. 1950)
Children4
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1946-1948, 1950-1952
Battles/warsKorean War

Mayoralties

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First mayoralty

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Rodenhizer was elected in the 1979 Durham mayoral election.

During Rodenhizer's first term as mayor, he was instrumental in getting the Durham Freeway extended along its modern route.[2]

Rodenhizer lost reelection in the 1981 Durham mayoral election.

Second mayoralty

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Rodenhizer was reelected to a second non-consecutive term in the 1991 Durham mayoral election.

In his second term, he laid the financial groundwork for what would become Durham Bulls Athletic Park, persuading the owner of the minor league team to keep the Bulls in Durham.[2]

Rodenhizer lost reelection in the 1993 Durham mayoral election.

Other activities

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From 1978 to 2004, Rodenhizer owned and operated the Pizza Palace, a Durham institution located on Ninth Street, near Duke University's East Campus. Rodenhizer transferred ownership and day-to-day operation of the restaurant to his daughter, Faye, when it was relocated to Guess Road in 2004.[3]

He unsuccessfully attempted to retake the mayoralty again in the 1995 Durham mayoral election.

References

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  1. ^ "Former Durham Mayor Dies". WRAL-TV.com. 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  2. ^ a b Blythe, Anne (2007-10-13). "Ex-mayor Harry Rodenhizer dead at 79". News and Observer. Archived from the original on 2007-05-14. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  3. ^ Hibbard, Andrew (2009-01-08). "45 Years of Memories for Pizza Palace". Duke Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-12-24.