David Patrick
Bill Rollings
CHAIRMAN, TULSA CITY COUNCIL APRIL 22, 1951-SEPT. 14, 2018
FORMER OWNER, TULSA DRILLERS MAY 4, 1930-APRIL 21, 2018
First elected in 1996, Patrick served nine terms on the Tulsa City Council, the longest of any current councilor. He first became civically involved as a member of the Maxwell Community Council and Dawson Neighborhood Association. He had a reputation — after others had wrangled over possible answers to problems — for coming up with simple, straightforward solutions.
A contractor by profession, Rollings wasn’t going to let Tulsa go without a baseball team, so he went to bat to get the town a new one. It took him three months. With co-owner Roy Clark, he managed to establish a tradition that just gets better with age. Along with love for his family, he poured his heart into the Akdar Shriners’ work with sick and injured children, transporting them to the organization’s hospitals for needed care.
“David was the real thing; a colleague, friend and always an advocate for his district and the City. He cared about people and cared about making sure those without a voice had one through him. (He) understood that his job as a councilor was to hold the other branches of Tulsa’s government accountable ... a standard he expected of himself.” — M. SUSAN SAVAGE, CEO, MORTON COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SERVICES; FORMER TULSA MAYOR
“Bill Rollings saved Tulsa baseball. Twice. After Tulsa Oilers owner A. Ray Smith took the team to New Orleans following the 1976 season, Rollings acquired the Lafayette, Louisiana, Texas League team and moved it to Tulsa for the 1977 season. Then in 1981 he built Drillers Stadium. Rollings was a true public servant.” — WAYNE MCCOMBS, TULSA BASEBALL HISTORIAN
John Stancavage
JOURNALIST AND FORMER BUSINESS EDITOR, TULSA WORLD JAN. 3, 1959-AUG. 10, 2018 Stancavage, Eagle Scout, epitomized all that moniker implies. As his obituary states, he was “smart, steady and persistent — the person others ask to lead.” The beloved local journalist once wanted to be an orthodontist. Instead, he found interviewing people was his true calling. He served two separate terms as president of Leadership Tulsa, as president of the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium and worked with Junior Achievement. He was an avid golfer, designed his home and loved his wife. “He was devoted to ensuring diverse voices were heard, respected and included in everything Leadership Tulsa did. He will be missed for his tenacity, his advocacy, his humor and most certainly his steady, sure, unflappable friendship.” — WENDY THOMAS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEADERSHIP TULSA
Robert Renberg
RENBERG: BLACKTIE PHOTO; ROLLINGS: COURTESY TULSA DRILLERS
FORMER OWNER, RENBERG’S DEPARTMENT STORE OCT. 14, 1942-FEB. 9, 2018 For more than 85 years, Renberg’s was one of Tulsa’s largest department stores. Robert Renberg was the third generation to take the reins of the storied chain. An impeccable dresser, he believed in quality, workmanship and good taste. Family members say he was humble and a hopeless romantic. “The world that Bob Renberg created in his store already seems like another time and place. The racks were full of beautiful garments, and it always felt like back-toschool in a city where fall is the most heartening season. But the main thing was Bobby’s exquisite tenderness. He managed to nudge every relationship toward intimacy, to enfold others in a wrapper of warmth and care.” — RABBI MARC BOONE FITZERMAN
Mike Samara
OWNER, CELEBRITY CLUB MAY 17, 1924-NOV. 1, 2018 When Samara came to Tulsa in 1963, he began making his name as a restaurateur, owning or having interest in many well-known eateries. The most enduring was his Celebrity Club (now Celebrity Restaurant), the scene for many Tulsans celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and marriage proposals. When liquor was legalized, he was the first to serve a legal alcoholic drink. “Ultimately Dad was the celebrity of the Celebrity Club. I once said to him, ‘Dad, you do such a good job of making your customers feel special.’ He quickly replied, ‘They are special!’ And that’s why he was so loved by so many.” — MICHELLE BRUNS, YOUNGEST DAUGHTER
Penny Williams
FORMER OKLAHOMA STATE LEGISLATOR MAY 6, 1937-APRIL 16, 2018 An advocate for women and education, Williams believed women should be in the House and the Senate. Over 23 years, she served in both. She was a force, co-authoring the landmark House Bill 1017 education and reform package, authoring bills that would establish the University Center at Tulsa and Art in Public Places, and heading the state’s Equal Rights Amendment committee. “Penny embraced life and held a zest and curiosity about all things that made up our families, community and her world of all she touched. She was an excellent communicator and held close her insights of those she served and cared for. Penny charged ahead, making paths through new frontiers that left many of us trying to keep up.” — JEANNIE MCDANIEL, FORMER OKLAHOMA STATE REPRESENTATIVE TP
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