Robert Forbuss, educator, elected official, civic leader, dies

Robert Forbuss, a widely known Las Vegas businessman, educator and elected official, died Sunday at his home after a long battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 64.

The Nevada native graduated from Bishop Gorman High School and earned bachelor's degrees in public administration and political science from Long Beach State University.

He went back to Gorman as a teacher from 1972 to 1979 and served on the Clark County School Board from 1979 to 1986. An elementary school in southwest Las Vegas was named in his honor In 2006.

Forbuss was most recently president of Strategic Alliances, a consulting company working in government relations, business development, strategic planning and issues management.

Political adviser and advertising executive Sig Rogich shared an office with Forbuss and took him to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., for tests that led to the diagnosis of ALS in 2010.

"He never complained. He handled his health verdict with dignity and grace," Rogich said Monday. "He was a special guy for our community. He cared deeply about the school system."

While teaching, Forbuss became an emergency medical technician and worked for Mercy Medical Services during summer breaks. He worked his way into management, and eventually became an owner of the company, which he expanded to other areas in the Southwest.

Forbuss was recognized as an industry leader in emergency medical services, winning awards and speaking at national conferences. He was founder and president of the American Ambulance Association and the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services.

In 1994, Forbuss sold Mercy Medical Services to Laidlaw Medical Transportation, which later acquired American Medical Response. Forbuss joined AMR's management team, helping consolidate ambulance companies throughout the United States.

He was also founder of Commercial Bank of Nevada, now called Colonial Bank.

Rogich said he enjoyed Forbuss' company at an occasional dinner, and they worked closely together in businesses. They were also co-chairmen of the Clark County Public Education Foundation.

"His philosophy was always spread the wealth, and that's a good measure of how people will be remembered," Rogich said.

Forbuss, who grew up in the Huntridge neighborhood where his mother ran a drycleaning business, was also active in Democratic Party politics and was a strong supporter of the gay and lesbian community. The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada bears his name.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Forbuss touched the lives of thousands of Nevadans through his work in education and as a community leader.

"I have known Bob for 30 years," Reid said in a statement Monday. "He is a true American success story. He started out as a school teacher in Las Vegas and worked his way to become an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He will be missed by his many friends and all those people he was good to."

As chairman of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Forbuss encouraged business leaders to support education initiatives and programs to emphasize the important role that education plays in the development of an educated workforce.

"Bob was a wonderful combination of savvy businessman and passionate community leader who dedicated his time and energy to making Las Vegas better," said Kristin McMillan, the Chamber president and chief executive officer. "We will remember him as a true, compassionate champion of many causes and an honorable man."

He served on numerous boards of directors, including the Clark County Public Education Foundation; Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Clark County Master Transportation Plan Funding Committee, the Mayor's Committee for a Better Community, the Las Vegas Housing Authority and the Governor's 2007 Transition Team.

U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., called Forbuss "a dear friend to me for many years and an extraordinary asset to our community. "I join his many friends in shedding a tear for the loss of a life that made such an impact on all who knew him,'' Berkley said.

"Through his extraordinary charitable and philanthropic efforts, the lives of thousands of Nevadans have been enhanced."

Forbuss' mother, Marjorie, preceded him in death.

A celebration of life will be held at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in October, though the date has yet to be determined.