Mayor of Louisville in 1977-81. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics in 1947 and a law degree in 1950, both from the University of Louisville. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, earning captain's bars. He flew 15 combat missions over Europe and received the Air Medal with cluster. After the war, he started a law practice and eventually was elected to the Board of Alderman on the Democratic ticket. He became president of the board in 1974. His major accomplishments as mayor included downtown development, the Seelbach Hotel renovation and the Kentucky Center for the Arts. He also was instrumental in bringing professional baseball back to Louisville after a nine-year absence. The team, called the Louisville Redbirds, began play in 1982 and drew more than 1 million fans, then a minor-league record, in 1983. His administration was surrounded in controversy, especially after it was discovered he was in New Orleans with his administrative assistant and another couple at a time when the Louisville firefighters went on strike in 1978. He had claimed he was in Atlanta on business. He was killed, along with his mother, as they crossed Bardstown Road on the way to Good Friday services.
Mayor of Louisville in 1977-81. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics in 1947 and a law degree in 1950, both from the University of Louisville. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, earning captain's bars. He flew 15 combat missions over Europe and received the Air Medal with cluster. After the war, he started a law practice and eventually was elected to the Board of Alderman on the Democratic ticket. He became president of the board in 1974. His major accomplishments as mayor included downtown development, the Seelbach Hotel renovation and the Kentucky Center for the Arts. He also was instrumental in bringing professional baseball back to Louisville after a nine-year absence. The team, called the Louisville Redbirds, began play in 1982 and drew more than 1 million fans, then a minor-league record, in 1983. His administration was surrounded in controversy, especially after it was discovered he was in New Orleans with his administrative assistant and another couple at a time when the Louisville firefighters went on strike in 1978. He had claimed he was in Atlanta on business. He was killed, along with his mother, as they crossed Bardstown Road on the way to Good Friday services.
Bio by: Ron Coons
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