1674-1 Claude Renshaw RANEE. 2 OF 2. PAGE 1 OF 3. DB N84
WED FEB 01 1984 ED: THREE--STAR
SECTION: INSIDE LOCAL PAGE: 4A LENGTH: 401 MEDIUM
ILLUST: *RENSHAW* (mug)
SOURCE:
DATELINE:
MEMO:
TOURISM F=I ONEER*CLAUDE*RENSHAW*I S DEAD
As Miami Beach ' s first city manager- , *C1 nude*Renshaw*for 33
years played a major role in founding and nurturing the city 's
tourism industry.
*Renshaw,*93, died Monday night in West Palm Beach. Services
will he Friday at 1: 30 p. m. at the Walsh and Wood Funeral Home.
As city manager from 1925 to 1958,*Renshaw*watched the city
grow from a population of barely 5,000 to alarge metropolitan
area. He is probably best remembered for his promotion of
tourism, his planning of municipal parking and his care of the
city 's financial interests.
*"Claude*Renshaw*has been the spearhead in Miami Beach 's rise
to world fame as a resort , " proclaimed a commendation passed by
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city officials in 1945. "To Miami Beach . *Renshaw*is what a good
architect and builder are to a house. During the past 20 years,
*Renshaw*led Miami Beach to the top in municipal government. "
Hank Meyer , as former director of city public relations,
worked with *Renshaw*for many years.
*"Cl ar..Lde*was very brilliant , very efficient . " said Meyer , who
now heads the public relations firm Hank Meyer Associates Inc.
"He was a man of few words, but much action. "
Recalling*Renshaw 's* quiet nature. Meyer said the city
manager once held a press conference in which the manager ,
himself , didn 't utter a word.
City Clerk Elaine Matthews also recalls*Renshaw 's*quiet way
of working.
"Outwardly he out on a very austere appearance, but he was
a very warm human being , " Matthews said. "He dealt fairly with
all the people he came in contact with ---- commissioners and
citizens alike. "
Born in Iowa .*Renshaw*care to Miami from Roundup , Mont. ,
where he served three terms as mayor.
*Renshaw*left the city manager 's post in 1958 to become
president of Miami Beach Savings and Loan Association (now
Financial Federal ) , Later he became chairman of the executive
RANK 2 OF 2, PAGE 3 OF 3. DB N84
board of the savings and loan.
He was a member of the Mahi Shrine Temple, the NORMI Masonic
Lodge. the B. F'. O. E. Miami Beach Lodge and the Pioneers of Miami
Beach.
Survivors include his son , C. Downer *Renshaw,*and seven
grandchildren.
Visitation will be allowed for one hour before the service
Friday at the funeral home, at 72nd Street and Abbott Avenue,
Miami Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be
made to Shriner 's Hospitals for Crippled Children , 2900 Rocky
Point Dr. , Tampa, 33607.
ADDED TERMS: *renshaw*obi t uar y