Bob Cashell remembered

Hundreds of people gathered to pay tribute to former Reno Mayor Bob Cashell on Feb. 20. Prior to his funeral, a procession of casino limos, city vehicles, buses, fire trucks and police cars stretched for blocks, following the white hearse that carried Cashell’s casket under the Reno Arch and to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in south Reno, where his funeral was attended by hundreds of family members, friends and others. Those present included both former and current council members, two former city managers, two former U.S. senators and a former governor.

At the Reno Ballroom, others who did not attend the funeral began gathering around 3:30 p.m. to watch as its conclusion was live-streamed onto large screens. The public celebration of life for Cashell took place at the venue from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Music Cashell liked was played and a photo montage from his life took over the screens. Attendees bought drinks from the full bar and were treated to food catered by the Eldorado Casino. People remembered Cashell not only as a mayor, but also as a casino owner and loyal fan and booster of University of Nevada, Reno, football.

Cashell, who passed on Feb. 11, was the mayor of Reno from 2002 until 2014. He served as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Nevada from ’83 to ’87 and was on the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents from ’79 to ’82.

Last week, the City of Reno launched a “kindness campaign” in memory of Cashell. It runs until Feb. 29 and is being done in conjunction with the Random Acts of Kindness Week—which is exactly what it sounds like, a campaign to encourage selfless good deeds.

Mayor Hillary Schieve signed a proclamation declaring it Robert A. Cashell, Sr. Week, and the city started a #kindnessforBob hashtag, which it has been using to promote the campaign on its social media throughout the week.