Written by: Tom Rieland
Date: December 14, 2013
Bob Lazarus Jr. joined us at a special reception honoring Ken Burns and his documentary on Prohibition.
Robert Lazarus Jr. died on Friday in Bexley. Â My experience with Bob, half of the dynamic Bob & Mary Lazarus team, comes from his consistent support of WOSU, but also in serving with him on community boards. Â He was thoughtful, positive and kind, always. Â I saw his gentle leadership at work with boards like the Jefferson Center, where as the saying goes, “when Bob spoke, everyone listened.” Bob’s love and commitment to Columbus was extraordinary. Please see the fine Dispatch piece on this Columbus icon.Â
With his cooperation, WOSU TV produced a wonderful documentary MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO LAZARUS about his famous downtown department store which closed in 2004.  Our custom website includes the Lazarus family tree that started with Bob’s great-great-grandfather Simon Lazarus.  It’s worth checking out. Lazarus Department Store was the place to go for holiday magic — the festive windows, talking Christmas tree and for many youngsters in Columbus, the first time meeting Santa.