Robert Poydasheff

Robert Stephen Poydasheff (born 1930)[1][2] is an American attorney and politician who served one term as mayor of Columbus, Georgia from 2003 to 2007. A retired military officer, he spent twenty-four years in the United States Army, retiring at the rank of colonel.

Bob Poydasheff
66th Mayor of Columbus, Georgia
In office
January 2003 – January 3, 2007
Preceded byBobby Peters
Succeeded byJim Wetherington
Personal details
Born
Robert Stephen Poydasheff

1930 (age 89–90)
Bronx, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Stacy Latto
(
m. 1954)
ResidenceColumbus, Georgia
Alma materThe Citadel (BA)
Tulane University (JD)
Boston University (MA)
OccupationLawyer, Politician
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1955–1979
RankColonel
UnitJ.A.G. Corps
Battles/warsVietnam War
Awards Legion of Merit
Commendation Medal

Early life and education

Poydasheff was born and raised in The Bronx in New York City; he attended DeWitt Clinton High School.[3]

He earned a B.A. in political science from The Citadel in 1954,[1] a J.D. from Tulane University Law School in 1957,[1] an M.A. in international relations from Boston University's Graduate Program in Berlin, Germany in 1967,[1] and attended The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands.

Military service

In May 1955, Poydasheff was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry branch of the United States Army.[2] After going on leave without pay to attend law school, he was reassigned to the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Assignments included acting as chief counsel to several high-ranking officers involved in the My Lai Massacre and the Post Exchange scandal. He served a total of twenty-four years, retiring as a colonel in 1979.[2]

Political career

Poydasheff served on the Columbus city council from 1994 through 2002. He was elected mayor in 2002, defeating fellow-counselor Richard H. Smith and former state representative Jed Harris.[4] He was unsuccessful in his 2006 bid for re-election to a second term and was succeeded by former Columbus police chief Jim Wetherington.[5]

A Republican, Poydasheff has described himself as ideologically similar to Colin Powell. He supported Democrat Teresa Tomlinson in her successful 2010 mayoral run.[6]

Personal life

Poydasheff is married to the former Anastasia "Stacy" Catherine Latto, and has two children, Catherine Alexandra Ross and Robert S. Poydasheff Jr.[1]

References
  1. "Bob Poydasheff". Ledger-Enquirer. Columbus, Georgia. July 14, 1994.
  2. "Honorary Ranger Hall of Fame Inductee: Retired Colonel Robert S. Poydasheff". 75th Ranger Regiment via Facebook. May 25, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2018. Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. Williams, Chuck (March 14, 2015). "Sunday Interview with Bob Poydasheff: 'Fort Benning is Columbus and Columbus is Fort Benning'". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  4. Hyatt, Richard (September 13, 2002). "Poydasheff wins mayoral race with assist from Smyre". Ledger-Enquirer.
  5. "Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Coverage of 2006 Election Results".
  6. "Colonel Likes the Lady". June 14, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
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