

Elyse Lanier



"Today, Bob Lanier, my husband and best friend for the last 30 years, passed away peacefully at our home at 4:35 pm this afternoon.



Bob's life, like that of many in his generation, was defined by his love for family, friends and country.



Bob considered his service for six years (1992-1998) as Mayor of Houston his greatest honor.



The pleasure of working with thousands of diverse Houstonians to make our City better along with his service as Chairman of Metro (1988-1989), Chairman of the Texas Department of Transportation (1983-1987) and as a young Naval Officer in World War II always brought a smile to his face and a twinkle to his eyes these last few years.



To his many colleagues and employees in public service, Bob wanted me to pass on a final goodbye and a hearty "Thank you for making a guy like me look good!"



A memorial service will be announced soon and we appreciate your prayers and respect for our privacy.





George W. Bush



"Barbara and I were saddened to learn that Bob Lanier had passed. A success in the world of business, he served so ably as our Mayor, and his leadership surely helped to lay the foundation for much of the success Houston enjoys today. We send our heartfelt family condolences to the entire Lanier family."





State Rep. Sylvester Turner



"My prayers are with Mayor Lanier's family and friends. The City of Houston is indebted to him for his service."





Mayor Annise Parker



"I am saddened to hear of the passing of Mayor Bob Lanier. He was a strong, popular leader who left a lasting mark on this city. Never one to shy away from a tough battle, he used his strength and popularity to push through Affirmative Action protections, rebuild the City's wastewater system, improve neighborhoods and add hundreds of officers to the police force. Although he became very successful in life, he never forgot his humble beginnings in Baytown. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Elyse and the entire Lanier family."



HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Well over six feet tall, he was a towering Texas who came from humble beginnings, born in Baytown during the Great Depression. Former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier was a Navy veteran who used the GI Bill to go to the University of Texas and then law school.He rose to wealth and political prominence, but throughout his life, never lost touch with people.A lawyer by trade and later developer, Lanier chaired the powerful Texas Highway Department and later Houston METRO. It was a standoff between then-Mayor Kathy Whitmire, who supported a rail system, and Lanier, who didn't, that led to his removal from METRO.He got both mad and even. It prompted Lanier to run for his first political office. He beat Whitmire, and then runoff challenger, State Representative Sylvester Turner.Lanier would serve as mayor for three terms, the most allowed in Houston.His approach to the city was paying attention to the basics -- streets and sidewalks, especially in neglected areas of Houston. He also put more police on the streets with the help of money appropriated from METRO.The crime rate fell and he had no problem standing up to Oilers owner Bud Adams, who demanded the city provide a new stadium. Lanier refused in colorful language.After office, 'Mayor Bob,' as he was often called, assumed what he liked to call the role of elder statesman in the city he loved. He was always glad to speak on issues. He also established the Lanier Conference at the University of Houston.The public works building is named for him, as is a TxDOT Ferry in Galveston -- the Robert Lanier. Until Saturday, he was Houston's longest living mayor, and there are plenty of people who would say he is the most fondly remembered.He was 89 Saturday when he passed away at around 4:30pm of natural causesSome of Lanier's former colleagues and friends are touting him as one of the best mayors Houston has ever had."Lanier was like everyone's dad," said state Rep. Carol Alvarado. "He was a giant and he loved the city. He will go down in history as one of our best mayors."Rep. Alvarado said she gained strength from working alongside Lanier."He brought the Latino community into city hall," she said. "He made some very key appointments."Lanier would eventually become her first financial contributor. And for would-be Mayor Lee Brown, Lanier was groundbreaking."He wanted to make Houston a better place for everyone," he said. "Many will remember him for his support of affirmative action. That's something he and I talked about a lot during his term in office."Lanier was dedicated to infrastructure improvement and better neighborhoods. Brown would later name the Houston Public Works building after Lanier."I was a close friend," said Brown. "He will certainly be missed. He left his fingerprint on the city of Houston in many ways. He not only was a good friend. He was a good mayor."Video from 2012 when Melanie Lawson covered the Laniers estate sale as they were moving out of their River Oaks home.Stay with Eyewitness News for complete team coverage on Mayor Lanier's passing. We'll have team coverage coming up on Eyewitness News at 10pm.