Friday brought the unexpected death of Tallahassee civic and community activist Bob Lotane. Among those who remembered his many contributions to the community was Leon County Commissioner – and onetime Lotane political opponent – Rick Minor. Both he and Lotane had run for the Tallahassee City Commission several years ago.
“He really cared about this community very deeply. And we didn’t always agree on everything, but you knew he was coming out of a position from a good place. And we need more people like that in Leon County. So we’re really gonna miss Bob.”
Despite a 2014 West Nile Virus infection that led to quadriplegia, Lotane remained active. His engagement included board membership at Goodwood Museum and Gardens and Refuge House. That organization’s Executive Director Emily Mitchem treasured the memories of working with Lotane.
“We deal with some pretty heavy-duty stuff. It’s a stressful job and often a thankless one. And right at the right times, he’d just pop some weird, corny joke or something and it would just lighten the load and just seeing his smile coming across the room was something I’ll just remember and miss.”
Lotane died suddenly on Friday at the age of 67 after a brief hospital stay following a stroke. A public memorial is in the works and will be announced soon.
