JU’s Dr. Fran Kinne, PPI Director Rick Mullaney comment on passing of former Jacksonville Mayor Hans Tanzler

Jacksonville University Past President and Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Fran Kinne and JU Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney both had words of praise for former Jacksonville Mayor Hans Tanzler, who died Thursday, July 25.

Kinne worked with Tanzler after his election in 1967 and grew to become close friends with him.

She remembered him as a decisive mayor who, during her time as Dean of JU’s College of Fine Arts, took action on improving Jacksonville’s cultural climate and quality of life.

“He was very supportive of JU, and very supportive of education. At that time after his election, Jacksonville’s arts community had many splintered groups going in different directions. Hans had the foresight to bring these groups together and form committees so that everyone began working together in unison.”

Kinne remembered fondly the former mayor’s great sense of humor, and recalled that in 1972, when she brought both Bob Hope and Jack Benny to JU to receive honorary degrees, that Tanzler gave both celebrities keys to the city.

Tanzler offered several comments during the ceremony, and Hope, in moving to the lectern, looked up at the tall Tanzler and quipped about the festivities, “Fran, did you have to include a funny mayor?”

“Hans loved taking part in that event,” Kinne said. “He always recognized when there was a chance to bring people together in the community.”

Mullaney, founding director of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute, is a former Jacksonville mayoral candidate, former chief of staff to Mayor John Delaney from 1995-96 and former general counsel for the city who represented consolidated government between 1997-2010.

He offered the following statement regarding the passing of Tanzler:

“Hans Tanzler made an enormous contribution to the city of Jacksonville and is one of the great unsung heroes of consolidation. He was a true statesman. Jacksonville would not have consolidated government today if Hans Tanzler had been opposed to it.”