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Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman, who tried to bring the Oakland A’s baseball team to his city and keep the NUMMI auto plant from closing, died Thursday at Fremont’s Kaiser medical center. He was 77.
Mr. Wasserman had been active in Fremont government since 1976, when he was appointed to be the city’s chief of police.
After retiring from a 40-year career in law enforcement that included appointments in Southern California and a term as the president of the California Peace Officers’ Association, he was elected to the Fremont City Council in 1992 and had served as mayor since 2004.
City officials said he had previously been commended for outstanding public service by a resolution of the California State Senate and
received the Law Enforcement Executive of the Year Award.
“Mayor Wasserman served the residents of Fremont for 35 years with distinction and dedication,” Vice Mayor Anu Natarajan said in a statement. “On behalf of the City Council, I offer heartfelt condolences to the Wasserman family.”
Natarajan will fulfill the duties of mayor until the City Council decides on how to fill the remainder of Wasserman’s term.
Wasserman is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda, and their two children, Dan and Jill.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Bay City News, contributed to this report
Bay City News, contributed to this report
I grew up around the corner from the Wasserman family and all the kids knew him as “Chief Wasserman”. Chief And Mrs. Wasserman were always very nice neighbors and we spent most time with his daughter Jill. What a wonderful man with an amazing family. I am so very sorry for their loss and to the residents of Fremont who will no longer have his leadership. Bless you Chief Wasserman. I will always remember you from when I was a young girl and we played outside with the other kids. Those were great times for all of us and that i will remember fondly. RIP CHIEF WASSERMAN. And love and prayers from my family to yours.