Kirkland Remembers Former Mayor, Public Servant Robert Neir

KIRKLAND, WA — Robert Neir, who served on Kirkland City Council from 1969 to 1991, and as Mayor from 1973 to 1980, died on October 24th, at age 90. At a City Council meeting Wednesday, city leaders honored Neir's life, and noted his tireless work to make Kirkland into the city it is today.

According to city officials, Neir became a Kirkland resident in 1955. During his time on City Council, he helped transform Kirkland into a park-friendly city and oversaw the purchase of land for Marina, Marsh, Brink, Juanita Bay, Watershed, Torem Lake, South Rose Hill, and Carillon Woods parks, along with the Yarrow Bay wetlands.

“One of the things that makes Kirkland such a special place to live is all of our beautiful parks and natural areas,” Mayor Penny Sweet said.

“We have to thank Bob Neir and other civic leaders of that era who had the extraordinary vision to see a rundown industrial area and out of it create a park system that provides more public access to Lake Washington than exists in any other lakeside city in the region.”

Among his other accomplishments, Neir helped consolidate the downtown core, oversaw the opening of Totem Lake Mall, and helped build Kirkland's first senior center. Neir is survived by his four sons — David, Thomas, Paul, and James — and seven grandchildren.

A celebration of life is planned for January 11th, 2020 at Inglewood Country Club. Donations can be made in his name to the Kirkland Heritage Society.