Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Former City Council President and Mayor of Omaha. Preceded in death by parents, George and Emma Cunningham; brothers, Arthur and Glenn Cunningham; sister, Lucille Pearson. Survived by wife, Clare "Tupper" Cunningham; daughter, Emily (Michael) Kozlik; son, Robert (Marjorie Webb) Cunningham, Jr.; grandson John Kozlik; granddaughter, Caroline Kozlik; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Bob dedicated his life to others through his service to his country as a U.S. Marine pilot; to his community as a City Council member, Mayor of Omaha, member of the OPS School Board, the MAT Board of Directors, Game and Parks Commission, among numerous other boards and commissions, but most importantly, to his family as the most loving and loyal committed husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed and always cherished by those who knew and loved him. Special thanks to the caregivers at Via Christie and Prime Home Care Hospice nurse, Alicia.
SERVICES Friday, 10am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. VISITATION begins Thursday 3pm at the 72nd Street Chapel with a Wake Service at 7pm. Memorials to the Archbishops Committee for Development (designated for Creighton Prep and Duchesne Academy), Catholic Charities or St. Margaret Mary Church.
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From the Omaha World Herald Newspaper:
Robert G. "Bob" Cunningham, a former city councilman, school board member and interim Omaha mayor, died Monday.
Cunningham, 91, loved his hometown of Omaha and helping others, said his daughter Emily Kozlik.
"His passion was serving others," Kozlik said. "Any kind of community service — he just couldn't say no when he believed in the cause."
In addition to his daughter, Cunningham is survived by his wife, Clare "Tupper"; son Robert Jr.; and two grandchildren, John and Caroline Kozlik.
Cunningham served as mayor from Nov. 16, 1976, to June 6, 1977, when then-mayor Edward Zorinsky was elected to the U.S. Senate. At the time, he pledged to not run for the office, and he never did.
In his 202-day stint as mayor, Cunningham focused on revitalizing downtown Omaha, set up an arts task force and created a committee for economic development.
A World-Herald editorial in 1977 praised Cunningham for doing so much in so little time, saying "he was an active mayor, shunning any caretaker or lame duck role."
Omahans gave Cunningham a 67 percent approval rating for his work as mayor, according to a World-Herald poll.
Before stepping in as mayor, he had been an Omaha city council member for 11 years and had been elected president for his final term. Before the City Council, he served on the Omaha Board of Education for 10 years.
Steve Rosenblatt, a council member while Cunningham was president, praised his former colleague.
"He was 100 percent for Omaha — did what he could to make it a better place to live," Rosenblatt said. "That's the kind of people you like to work with."
Cunningham grew up in South Omaha and served as a captain in the Marines and a Marine pilot during World War II. When he returned, he attended what was then Omaha University, graduating in 1949. The university later honored him with a citation for alumni achievement.
When he left public office, Cunningham continued with his volunteer work and at his insurance business, Cunningham Jeffrey & Co. Among his volunteer interests listed by his family were the University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association and the Archbishop's Educational Development Fund, which he helped start.
Gov. J.J. Exon appointed him to the Game and Parks Commission.
Cunningham was preceded in death by his brothers, Glenn and Arthur, and sister Lucille Pearson. Lake Cunningham is named for his brother, Glenn, an Omaha congressman.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at John A. Gentleman Mortuary, 1010 N. 72nd St. A wake will be at 7 p.m. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
Cunningham loved to stay active by playing golf, tennis and riding bikes with his grandchildren.
"He loved life and grabbed for the gusto," Kozlik said.
Cunningham lived in Omaha all his life, and in a World-Herald "Getting Personal" profile, he was asked about his favorite place.
His answer: Omaha.
SERVICES Friday, 10am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. VISITATION begins Thursday 3pm at the 72nd Street Chapel with a Wake Service at 7pm. Memorials to the Archbishops Committee for Development (designated for Creighton Prep and Duchesne Academy), Catholic Charities or St. Margaret Mary Church.
--------------------------------------------
From the Omaha World Herald Newspaper:
Robert G. "Bob" Cunningham, a former city councilman, school board member and interim Omaha mayor, died Monday.
Cunningham, 91, loved his hometown of Omaha and helping others, said his daughter Emily Kozlik.
"His passion was serving others," Kozlik said. "Any kind of community service — he just couldn't say no when he believed in the cause."
In addition to his daughter, Cunningham is survived by his wife, Clare "Tupper"; son Robert Jr.; and two grandchildren, John and Caroline Kozlik.
Cunningham served as mayor from Nov. 16, 1976, to June 6, 1977, when then-mayor Edward Zorinsky was elected to the U.S. Senate. At the time, he pledged to not run for the office, and he never did.
In his 202-day stint as mayor, Cunningham focused on revitalizing downtown Omaha, set up an arts task force and created a committee for economic development.
A World-Herald editorial in 1977 praised Cunningham for doing so much in so little time, saying "he was an active mayor, shunning any caretaker or lame duck role."
Omahans gave Cunningham a 67 percent approval rating for his work as mayor, according to a World-Herald poll.
Before stepping in as mayor, he had been an Omaha city council member for 11 years and had been elected president for his final term. Before the City Council, he served on the Omaha Board of Education for 10 years.
Steve Rosenblatt, a council member while Cunningham was president, praised his former colleague.
"He was 100 percent for Omaha — did what he could to make it a better place to live," Rosenblatt said. "That's the kind of people you like to work with."
Cunningham grew up in South Omaha and served as a captain in the Marines and a Marine pilot during World War II. When he returned, he attended what was then Omaha University, graduating in 1949. The university later honored him with a citation for alumni achievement.
When he left public office, Cunningham continued with his volunteer work and at his insurance business, Cunningham Jeffrey & Co. Among his volunteer interests listed by his family were the University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association and the Archbishop's Educational Development Fund, which he helped start.
Gov. J.J. Exon appointed him to the Game and Parks Commission.
Cunningham was preceded in death by his brothers, Glenn and Arthur, and sister Lucille Pearson. Lake Cunningham is named for his brother, Glenn, an Omaha congressman.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at John A. Gentleman Mortuary, 1010 N. 72nd St. A wake will be at 7 p.m. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
Cunningham loved to stay active by playing golf, tennis and riding bikes with his grandchildren.
"He loved life and grabbed for the gusto," Kozlik said.
Cunningham lived in Omaha all his life, and in a World-Herald "Getting Personal" profile, he was asked about his favorite place.
His answer: Omaha.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Former City Council President and Mayor of Omaha. Preceded in death by parents, George and Emma Cunningham; brothers, Arthur and Glenn Cunningham; sister, Lucille Pearson. Survived by wife, Clare "Tupper" Cunningham; daughter, Emily (Michael) Kozlik; son, Robert (Marjorie Webb) Cunningham, Jr.; grandson John Kozlik; granddaughter, Caroline Kozlik; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Bob dedicated his life to others through his service to his country as a U.S. Marine pilot; to his community as a City Council member, Mayor of Omaha, member of the OPS School Board, the MAT Board of Directors, Game and Parks Commission, among numerous other boards and commissions, but most importantly, to his family as the most loving and loyal committed husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed and always cherished by those who knew and loved him. Special thanks to the caregivers at Via Christie and Prime Home Care Hospice nurse, Alicia.
SERVICES Friday, 10am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. VISITATION begins Thursday 3pm at the 72nd Street Chapel with a Wake Service at 7pm. Memorials to the Archbishops Committee for Development (designated for Creighton Prep and Duchesne Academy), Catholic Charities or St. Margaret Mary Church.
--------------------------------------------
From the Omaha World Herald Newspaper:
Robert G. "Bob" Cunningham, a former city councilman, school board member and interim Omaha mayor, died Monday.
Cunningham, 91, loved his hometown of Omaha and helping others, said his daughter Emily Kozlik.
"His passion was serving others," Kozlik said. "Any kind of community service — he just couldn't say no when he believed in the cause."
In addition to his daughter, Cunningham is survived by his wife, Clare "Tupper"; son Robert Jr.; and two grandchildren, John and Caroline Kozlik.
Cunningham served as mayor from Nov. 16, 1976, to June 6, 1977, when then-mayor Edward Zorinsky was elected to the U.S. Senate. At the time, he pledged to not run for the office, and he never did.
In his 202-day stint as mayor, Cunningham focused on revitalizing downtown Omaha, set up an arts task force and created a committee for economic development.
A World-Herald editorial in 1977 praised Cunningham for doing so much in so little time, saying "he was an active mayor, shunning any caretaker or lame duck role."
Omahans gave Cunningham a 67 percent approval rating for his work as mayor, according to a World-Herald poll.
Before stepping in as mayor, he had been an Omaha city council member for 11 years and had been elected president for his final term. Before the City Council, he served on the Omaha Board of Education for 10 years.
Steve Rosenblatt, a council member while Cunningham was president, praised his former colleague.
"He was 100 percent for Omaha — did what he could to make it a better place to live," Rosenblatt said. "That's the kind of people you like to work with."
Cunningham grew up in South Omaha and served as a captain in the Marines and a Marine pilot during World War II. When he returned, he attended what was then Omaha University, graduating in 1949. The university later honored him with a citation for alumni achievement.
When he left public office, Cunningham continued with his volunteer work and at his insurance business, Cunningham Jeffrey & Co. Among his volunteer interests listed by his family were the University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association and the Archbishop's Educational Development Fund, which he helped start.
Gov. J.J. Exon appointed him to the Game and Parks Commission.
Cunningham was preceded in death by his brothers, Glenn and Arthur, and sister Lucille Pearson. Lake Cunningham is named for his brother, Glenn, an Omaha congressman.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at John A. Gentleman Mortuary, 1010 N. 72nd St. A wake will be at 7 p.m. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
Cunningham loved to stay active by playing golf, tennis and riding bikes with his grandchildren.
"He loved life and grabbed for the gusto," Kozlik said.
Cunningham lived in Omaha all his life, and in a World-Herald "Getting Personal" profile, he was asked about his favorite place.
His answer: Omaha.
SERVICES Friday, 10am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. VISITATION begins Thursday 3pm at the 72nd Street Chapel with a Wake Service at 7pm. Memorials to the Archbishops Committee for Development (designated for Creighton Prep and Duchesne Academy), Catholic Charities or St. Margaret Mary Church.
--------------------------------------------
From the Omaha World Herald Newspaper:
Robert G. "Bob" Cunningham, a former city councilman, school board member and interim Omaha mayor, died Monday.
Cunningham, 91, loved his hometown of Omaha and helping others, said his daughter Emily Kozlik.
"His passion was serving others," Kozlik said. "Any kind of community service — he just couldn't say no when he believed in the cause."
In addition to his daughter, Cunningham is survived by his wife, Clare "Tupper"; son Robert Jr.; and two grandchildren, John and Caroline Kozlik.
Cunningham served as mayor from Nov. 16, 1976, to June 6, 1977, when then-mayor Edward Zorinsky was elected to the U.S. Senate. At the time, he pledged to not run for the office, and he never did.
In his 202-day stint as mayor, Cunningham focused on revitalizing downtown Omaha, set up an arts task force and created a committee for economic development.
A World-Herald editorial in 1977 praised Cunningham for doing so much in so little time, saying "he was an active mayor, shunning any caretaker or lame duck role."
Omahans gave Cunningham a 67 percent approval rating for his work as mayor, according to a World-Herald poll.
Before stepping in as mayor, he had been an Omaha city council member for 11 years and had been elected president for his final term. Before the City Council, he served on the Omaha Board of Education for 10 years.
Steve Rosenblatt, a council member while Cunningham was president, praised his former colleague.
"He was 100 percent for Omaha — did what he could to make it a better place to live," Rosenblatt said. "That's the kind of people you like to work with."
Cunningham grew up in South Omaha and served as a captain in the Marines and a Marine pilot during World War II. When he returned, he attended what was then Omaha University, graduating in 1949. The university later honored him with a citation for alumni achievement.
When he left public office, Cunningham continued with his volunteer work and at his insurance business, Cunningham Jeffrey & Co. Among his volunteer interests listed by his family were the University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association and the Archbishop's Educational Development Fund, which he helped start.
Gov. J.J. Exon appointed him to the Game and Parks Commission.
Cunningham was preceded in death by his brothers, Glenn and Arthur, and sister Lucille Pearson. Lake Cunningham is named for his brother, Glenn, an Omaha congressman.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at John A. Gentleman Mortuary, 1010 N. 72nd St. A wake will be at 7 p.m. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
Cunningham loved to stay active by playing golf, tennis and riding bikes with his grandchildren.
"He loved life and grabbed for the gusto," Kozlik said.
Cunningham lived in Omaha all his life, and in a World-Herald "Getting Personal" profile, he was asked about his favorite place.
His answer: Omaha.
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