Robert Michael Isaac (January 27, 1928 – May 2, 2008) was an American attorney and politician who served as the 37th mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Elected in April 1979, he was the first popularly-elected mayor in the history of Colorado Springs, serving five four-year terms through 1997.

Robert Isaac
37th Mayor of Colorado Springs
In office
1979–1997
Preceded byLarry Ochs
Succeeded byLeon Young
48th President of the United States Conference of Mayors
In office
1990–1991
Preceded byKathy Whitmire
Succeeded byRaymond Flynn
Personal details
Born
Robert Michael Isaac

January 27, 1928
Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
DiedMay 2, 2008 (aged 80)
Political partyRepublican
Children5
EducationUnited States Military Academy (BS)
University of Southern California (JD)

Early life and education

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Isaac was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1945. He earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the United States Military Academy in 1951 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law in 1962.[1][2]

Career

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After graduating from the United States Military Academy, Isaac worked as a math teacher in Germany.

Isaac was a partner in the law firm of Isaac, Johnson & Alpern. He served as assistant district attorney for the Fourth Judicial District of Colorado in 1965 and 1966, and as a judge for the Colorado Springs Municipal Court from 1966 to 1969. He was a city councilman for Colorado Springs from April 1975 to April 1979.

On September 29, 1983, President Ronald Reagan nominated Isaac to be a member of the board of trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 10, 1987, succeeding Washington state legislator Dick King.[3]

During his tenure, KVUU aired a daily drive-time segment called "Stump Mayor Bob", in which the DJs would call the mayor's office and ask him trivia questions.

In 1997, the Colorado Springs Municipal Court at 224 East Kiowa Street was renamed the Robert M. Isaac Municipal Court Building. The terminal at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport is also named in his honor.

Personal life

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Of Syrian Christian descent, he was twice-married and had five children. Isaac died on May 2, 2008, from complications from pneumonia.[4][5]

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References

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  1. ^ "WP-ORG Eulogy for Robert Michael Isaac -- USMA '51". defender.west-point.org. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  2. ^ Graduates, United States Military Academy Association of (2003). Assembly. Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy.
  3. ^ Boyd, Gerald M. (1985-01-17). "Republican Mayors Voice Support of Reagan Cuts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  4. ^ HEILMAN, RICH LADEN and WAYNE. "Former Springs Mayor Bob Isaac dies". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  5. ^ Saar, Danielle. "Former Mayor Robert Isaac Dies". www.kktv.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Colorado Springs
1979–1997
Succeeded by