Oak Harbor mourns former Mayor Bob Severns after June 4 death

Bob Severns’ death left Oak Harbor mourning a mayor whose fingerprints are still on the city’s daily life, from its sewer system and police leadership to its housing priorities and business climate. The city announced June 5 that Severns died June 4, surrounded by family.

Severns was elected to Oak Harbor City Council Position 4 on January 1, 2008, served until December 2015, then was elected mayor and took office on January 1, 2016. He served two consecutive terms, giving him 16 years in Oak Harbor city government, eight on the council and eight in the mayor’s office. City leaders remembered him as a collaborative figure who cared deeply about Oak Harbor’s direction and spent years working to keep the city vibrant and welcoming.

His influence reached far beyond the city dais. Severns moved to Whidbey Island in 1974 for a job opportunity, later became part owner and president of Chicago Title, and served multiple times on the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce board, including one term as chairman. That background helped shape a political profile built around business support and a close understanding of the island’s economic life, especially in a community where city hall and the local business community often move in step.

Severns’ mayoralty opened amid serious local problems. He inherited the costly sewage treatment plant project and a leadership crisis in the police department, then navigated controversies over a giant sculpture and the removal of the windmill. His tenure also included an unprecedented flooding event and the COVID-19 pandemic. He dealt with those pressures while facing serious health problems of his own, including a boating accident that broke his leg and later open-heart surgery.

His last regular council meeting in December 2023 showed how widely he was respected at the end of his tenure. About 20 people surprised him with a flash mob tribute, including his wife, Rhonda Severns, while audience members, staff and council members held signs reading “I heart Bob.” Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson said Severns and Councilmember Beth Munns were effective advocates for the community, underscoring his role in Oak Harbor and across Island County.

One of Severns’ most lasting regional efforts came in 2016, when he and Johnson created the Regional Housing Affordability Task Force. A 2017 report said the task force was formed in response to rent increases and fewer housing options for low- and middle-income families, tying Severns’ legacy to a problem that still shapes life on North Whidbey. The city said its condolences go to Severns’ family, friends and everyone who worked with him, and made clear that his contributions will not be forgotten.