Congressman Bishop Mourns Mayor Robert Poydasheff

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement regarding the passing of former Columbus Mayor Robert Poydasheff:

"I was deeply saddened to the learn of the passing of Former Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff. Mayor Poydasheff loved his family, people, his country, and Columbus, Georgia. He played many roles in his life to include husband, father, grandfather, soldier, veteran, practicing attorney and public servant. In each of these roles, he gave it his all. He was committed to diversity and spoke up against injustice whenever he saw it. He never stopped serving and advocating for what was right even when he faced criticism. He was a longtime member of the Black History Observance Breakfast committee in Columbus and his most recent form of advocacy was on behalf of disadvantaged veterans with regard to the location of the new VA Clinic in Columbus.

"On a personal note, Mayor Poydasheff was my friend. He always gave me wise advice and sage counsel. He never told me what I wanted to hear, but he always told me what he felt I needed to hear.

"Audrey Hepburn once said, "You have two hands. One to help yourself, the other to help others.' Mayor Robert "Bob' Poydasheff used his hand to help others with an abiding sense of friendship and brotherhood. He will be missed but his legacy will live on through all of those who knew and loved him. My wife, Vivian and I extend our deepest condolences to his wife of 60 Years, Stacy, and his entire family. May she and the rest of the family be comforted by God's grace and mercy in the coming days, weeks, months, and years."

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