[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 175 (Friday, October 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E943-E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT STEPHEN ``BOB'' POYDASHEFF, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 2020

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary 
husband, father, grandfather, soldier, veteran, attorney, public 
servant, and dear friend of longstanding--Former Mayor of Columbus, 
Georgia, Colonel Robert Stephen ``Bob'' Poydasheff, Sr., USA, Ret. 
Sadly, Bob passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2020. A private 
family graveside service was held on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at 
Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia, and a memorial service will be 
held at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus, 
Georgia on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 3 p.m.
  A native of Bronx, New York, Bob was born with an innate 
determination to excel, which was apparent in virtually every aspect of 
his life--and especially in his pursuit of education. After completing 
his primary and secondary education in New York, he earned a B.A. in 
Political Science from The Citadel, The Military College of South 
Carolina, in 1954, along with his commission as a Second Lieutenant; 
earned his Juris Doctorate from Tulane University in Louisiana in 1957; 
and in 1967, he received an M.A. in International Relations from Boston 
College. In addition, he attended The Hague Academy of International 
Law in the Netherlands as well as The Army War College.
  He served in the U.S. Army for twenty-four years and retired at the 
rank of Colonel. He began his distinguished military career as an 
Infantry Officer and he was a parachutist, serving one combat tour in 
Vietnam. He then transferred to the Judge Advocate General Corps, where 
he was prominent in the trials of high-ranking officers involved in the 
My Lai incident. Bob also served as Legislative Counsel to Secretary of 
the Army, Howard (Bo) Calloway; Staff Judge Advocate at Ft. Belvoir, 
VA; and Legal Counsel to the Secretary of the Army and Secretary of 
Defense on Labor Relations (1955 to 1979). In recognition of his 
exemplary service to our country, he received the Vietnam Ribbon, 
Legion of Merit, Commendation Medal, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and he was 
elected to the Ranger Hall of Fame. In addition to these prominent 
awards, he later received the Clara Barton Award, the highest honor 
bestowed by the Red Cross.
  Following his military service, Colonel Poydasheff made Columbus, 
Georgia his permanent home and entered the private practice of law. Bob 
loved Columbus, Georgia, and through his leadership, the City of 
Columbus experienced extraordinary growth and prosperity which stemmed 
from his terms as a City Counselor from 1994 to 2002 and as Mayor from 
2003 to 2007. During his tenure as Mayor, the area gained more than 
seven thousand new jobs and under his leadership the Columbus 
Consolidated Government exercised fiscal responsibility resulting in 
balanced budgets and a surplus. A staunch advocate for equal 
opportunity and diversity, he made history on February 1, 2005 by 
appointing the first African American City Manager, The Honorable 
Isaiah Hugley, who continues to serve the city. That was on top of his 
membership in a multitude of civic organizations that did positive 
work, which included: Chattahoochee Valley Citadel Club (President); 
Chattahoochee Boy Scout Council (Past President); Association of U.S. 
Army (Past President); Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home (Past President); 
Fort Benning Sojourners (Past President); Board of Directors American 
Red Cross (Past Chairman); Military Affairs Committee, Columbus Chamber 
of Commerce (Past Chairman); Civilian-Military Council (Past Chairman); 
Military Order of World Wars (Past Commander); Minority Business 
Development Council; Black History Month Steering Committee; Urban 
League (Director); Columbus Lawyer's Club; Georgia Council of the 
Humanities; Kiwanis Club of Columbus; Leadership Columbus Alumni; 
Shriner; Scottish Rite; and Masons. He was recently selected for the 
Order of Saint Maurice for distinguished contribution to

[[Page E944]]

and loyal support of, Infantry, and demonstrating gallant devotion to 
the principle of selfless service embodied by the American Infantryman. 
Unfortunately, he passed before he could receive the award, but it will 
be bestowed posthumously by the National Infantry Association.
  During his life, he played many roles, and in each role, he gave it 
his all. In addition to being a successful attorney, dedicated soldier, 
and public servant, he was also a published author. His first published 
work, entitled ``A Banana in the Sun'', was published in Harper's 
Magazine in 2006. Yet, in all his roles, he embodied the Army values of 
loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and 
personal courage. He never stopped serving and advocating for what was 
right even in the face of 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 
regards to the location of the new VA Clinic in Columbus.
  On a personal note, Bob 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 and always ended with ``I love 
you.''
  Audrey Hepburn once said, ``You have two hands. One to help yourself, 
the other to help others.'' Mayor Robert S. ``Bob'' Poydasheff, Sr. 
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 whose lives he touched.
  Bob accomplished much in his life, but none of this would have been 
possible without the Grace of God; the love and support of his wife of 
more than 60 years, Anastasia ``Stacey''; his children, Catherine 
(deceased) and Robert, Jr.; and a host of family, friends, and loved 
ones who will miss him deeply.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, 
along with the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second 
Congressional District, in paying tribute to The Honorable Robert 
Stephen ``Bob'' Poydasheff, Sr., and in extending our deepest 
condolences to all who mourn his loss during this difficult time of 
bereavement. Moreover, we pray that we will all be consoled and 
comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, 
and months ahead.

                          ____________________