Former Gainesville Mayor and City Council Member Robert “Bob” Hamrick passed away Monday at the age of 96.
Hamrick served as the representative of Ward 2 in Gainesville for 46 years before stepping down from the role in 2015.
Current Ward 2 Councilman Zack Thompson had initially shared his memories of Hamrick from that time.
“He was one of the longest serving politicians in the nation at the time,” Thompson recalled. “ I will always remember our conversation at Longstreet Cafe in 2015, just the two of us, when I declared to him my eagerness to carry the torch. He was gracious, kind and encouraging to me, but I could tell he was hesitant. I learned from several conversations how passionate he was for the city he loved and the people he cared for. When you look around Gainesville today, Bob had a hand in the decisions that continue to guide our city. I’m extremely proud to follow such an honorable man and continue his legacy of leadership in Gainesville.”
Current Ward 1 representative and former elected Mayor Danny Dunagan worked alongside Hamrick during his tenure. Dunagan explained that at the time that Hamrick was elected to the City Council, representatives would rotate terms serving as the Mayor of Gainesville.
“Bob served, during his 46 years, several terms as mayor of the City of Gainesville,” Dunagan said. “But he was a remarkable man…he had a true servant’s heart. He really did. He cared deeply for this city, and did a wonderful job.”
Services Honoring Hamrick have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home Riverside Chapel in Gainesville. A service will be held on March 14 at Gainesville First United Methodist Church.
