Arlington honors former Mayor Robert Cluck while celebrating his transformative leadership that brought the Dallas Cowboys to the city and revitalized its economy.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The city of Arlington is honoring the life and legacy of former Mayor Dr. Robert N. Cluck, M.D., whose vision and leadership helped redefine the city’s skyline and economy.
Cluck, who served as mayor from 2003 to 2015 after two terms on the City Council, died April 14 at the age of 87, the city said.
He is best remembered for spearheading the effort to bring the Dallas Cowboys to Arlington, a dynamic move that led to the 2009 opening of AT&T Stadium. His administration also guided the creation of the Arlington Highlands shopping center, the Viridian community, and the revitalization of Downtown Arlington.
“Arlington has lost a true visionary,” Mayor Jim Ross said. “Dr. Robert Cluck didn’t just lead our city; he reimagined what it could be. His ability to build partnerships and see the community’s future potential fundamentally changed our trajectory.”
Born in Cisco in 1939, Cluck graduated from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and earned his medical degree from UT Southwestern. He also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era and practiced as an obstetrician-gynecologist in Arlington for more than two decades.
In 2011, he received the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Community Leadership Award.
Arlington honored him with the opening of a 73.8-acre park called Dr. Robert Cluck Linear Park in 2011. Then in 2015, Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones named the Atrium at AT&T Stadium in his honor. He also earned the inaugural Arlington Visionary Award in 2017.
“We are a more vibrant, competitive, and world-class city today because of his bold leadership and belief in Arlington. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as we celebrate a life exceptionally well-lived,” Mayor Ross said.
Cluck is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Katherine Cluck Williams and Jennifer Cluck Bills; son, Robert Cluck III; and four grandchildren.