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Photograph courtesy of the Family of Robert Quinlan
Robert Quinlan, former city manager, died on Feb. 15 from a massive coronary. He was 75. Because of his extensive work for the city and its residents, Cupertino's community center bears his name. This Photograph was taken in 1980.
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Man of Vision
Former Cupertino city manager and community servant Robert Quinlan dies at age 75
By MELISSA MATCHAK
After a lifetime of serving the communities in which he lived, Robert Quinlan, 75, died on Feb. 15, from a massive coronary at his daughter's home in Santa Clara.
Hailed as the man who played a major part in taking the city of Cupertino from a small town to high-tech central, Quinlan was not only well-known in the city, but well-liked by those with whom he worked.
Born on Aug. 9, 1925, in Marceline, Miss., Quinlan lettered in basketball in high school before serving as a navigator on a B26 aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Washburn University, Topeka, Kan., where he lettered in basketball and baseball, and was a member of Alpha Delta Fraternity. He received his master's degree in public administration from the University of Kansas in 1951.
Before moving to Cupertino in 1971, Quinlan served as the assistant city manager in Enid, Okla., from 1950 to 1952; the city manager of Midwest City, Okla., from 1952 to 1965; city manager of Boulder, Colo., from 1965 to 1967; and the city manager of Beloit, Wis., from 1967 to 1971. He served as city manager of Cupertino from February 1971, until his retirement in January 1989.
Robert Quinlan in 1951
Quinlan was only 26 years old when he took his first city manager position. His daughter, Linda Quinlan, said that in each of the states he served, he was voted by his peers into the position of League of Cities president. He was also the president of the California League of Cities for several years, and a lifetime member of the International City Managers Association.
During his 17 years as city manager in Cupertino, Quinlan oversaw the development of the world headquarters of Apple Computer Inc., the Vallco Fashion Park shopping center and Memorial Park, the city's largest public park.
"He enjoyed the community, and saw everything fall into place with Cupertino," his daughter said. "He liked working for the citizens of Cupertino and the city councils."
Jim Sisk, planning director from 1965 to 1985, said Quinlan was an outstanding city manager, who brought his experience and knowledge to the position.
"He was a real leader, and the best boss I ever had," Sisk said. "He was a real credit to the community, and always had the city at heart."
Sisk said that during the early years of Cupertino, when Quinlan served as city manager, the city planners were trying to determine what type of community the citizens wanted, and Quinlan played a big role in the decisions that were made.
Bob Cowan, who worked with Quinlan in Cupertino from 1985 until 1989 as the city planning director, said Quinlan brought integrity and honesty to the city in his position, and formed the foundation for the city's current fiscal planning.
"I thought he was a tremendous guy to work for," Cowan said. "He was very direct, clear, concise and a great mentor. He was a real friend and a great leader."
Quinlan's hard work and dedication to the city of Cupertino did not go unnoticed. At his retirement dinner in late 1989, Quinlan was presented with a colored sketch of the community center that was in progress at the time, and surprised with the announcement that the center would be named the Quinlan Community Center in his honor.
"He was incredibly touched and very overwhelmed," his daughter said. "He thanked his staff that night, because he believed in giving credit where credit was due."
After retiring, Quinlan never disappeared from public life. He served on several boards and committees in the South Bay, including the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. He also served as interim city manager for the city of Campbell and, most recently, as the acting city manager for the city of Los Altos Hills, from June 2000 to February 2001.
Quinlan is survived by his wife, Carol, of Cupertino, his daughters Linda of Santa Clara, Patti Bo of Los Altos and Vicki Finley of Chanhassen, Minn., brother Jack Quinlan of Topeka, Kan., and four grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held on March 9, at 3 p.m. at the Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road, Cupertino. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
