Robert Stephen Poydasheff (13 February 1930 – 24 September 2020) was an American attorney and politician who served one term as mayor of Columbus, Georgia, from 2003 to 2007. A retired military officer, he served in the United States Army for twenty-four years, retiring at the rank of colonel.
Early life and education
Poydasheff was born and raised in The Bronx in New York City; he attended DeWitt Clinton High School.
He earned a B.A. in political science from The Citadel in 1954,
Political career
Poydasheff served on the Columbus city council from 1994 to 2002. He was elected mayor in 2002, defeating fellow counselor Richard H. Smith and former state representative Jed Harris. He was unsuccessful in his 2006 bid for re-election to a second term and was succeeded by former Columbus police chief Jim Wetherington.
A Republican, Poydasheff described himself as ideologically similar to Colin Powell. He supported Democrat Teresa Tomlinson in her successful 2010 mayoral run.
Personal life
Poydasheff was married to the former Anastasia "Stacy" Catherine Latto, and had two children, Catherine Alexandra Ross and Robert S. Poydasheff Jr.