Former Long Beach Mayor Known For Leading City Through Great Recession Dies

LONG BEACH, CA — A former Long Beach mayor known for navigating the city through “the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression” has died, city officials announced Monday.

Robert “Bob” Foster, who served two terms as mayor from 2006 to 2014, died the evening of Nov. 30 at the age of 78, officials said.

“Mayor Bob Foster served Long Beach with steady leadership and a deep love for our community,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a written statement. “He guided our city through challenging times with honesty, courage and a clear sense of responsibility. Long Beach is stronger because of his service.”

Before running for office, Foster had a distinguished career at Southern California Edison, according to city officials.

Foster started his career with SCE in 1984 in Sacramento, where he served as “principal liaison to the California Legislature and state agencies,” the company said in a statement. He worked his way up the company and was appointed president in 2002.

“Bob was instrumental in guiding SCE through the California energy crisis and helping the company survive severe financial challenges,” Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, said in a written statement. “Under his leadership, SCE developed the largest portfolio of renewable energy programs in the United States. His impact on California’s clean energy future is still felt today.”

Foster retired three years after being named president “to pursue his long-held passion to run for elected office,” the company said.

During his time as mayor, Foster steered the city through the Great Recession and helped navigate rising pension costs, officials said. His focus on fiscal responsibility and pension reform proved pivotal to stabilizing the city’s financial landscape.

By the time his second term finished, the city had “a budget surplus for the first time in a decade,” according to officials.

In addition to his financial leadership, Foster pushed for environmental progress at the Port of Long Beach, where he advanced initiatives that still shape the city’s sustainability efforts.

“He took the responsibility of public service incredibly seriously and was never afraid to do the right thing, even if it was unpopular,” City Manager Tom Modica said in a statement. “He was incredibly generous with his time and resources, helping anyone who needed it, with unmatched wit, humor and kindness.”

As he was leaving office in 2014, Foster said in an interview with The Long Beach Press Telegram that he recognized he may have unintentionally offended others during his tenure.

“I’m sorry for that,” Foster told the newspaper. “But you know what, my job is to make this place better. I did it not only the best way I know how, but the fastest way I know how.”

Even after leaving office, Foster served the city, working on local nonprofit and community boards.

“Our city is better because he cared deeply for it, and his impact will be felt for generations,” Richardson said in a Facebook post.