Former Packers president Bob Harlan, who was responsible for hiring two different general managers who won Super Bowls, died Thursday after a brief illness, the organization announced.
He was 89.
Harlan first joined the Packers in 1971 before being elected president and CEO in 1989.
His tenure included hiring Ron Wolf, who was GM when Green Bay won the Super Bowl during the 1996 season, and Ted Thompson, who helped the team win its most recent title in 2010.
When Harlan retired in 2008, he was the winningest president in NFL history.
“Bob was a visionary leader whose impact on the franchise was transformational,” Packers president and CEO Ed Policy said in a statement. “From his inspired hiring of Ron Wolf to turn around the club’s on-field fortunes to his tireless work to redevelop Lambeau Field, Bob restored the Packers to competitive excellence during his tenure and helped ensure our unique and treasured flagship NFL franchise was on sound footing for sustained generational success.
“We send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Madeline, and the entire Harlan family.”
Wolf was one of Harlan’s first major hires after taking over as president, bringing him on for the GM role in 1991.
That led to some major additions to the organization, with Mike Holmgren hired as head coach and the Packers trading for future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.
“Bob Harlan gave me an opportunity, and I am deeply indebted to him for that. His greatest trait, in my opinion, is that he was an honorable man, a man of his word, a man of character,” Wolf said. “He was an honor to know and a pleasure to work with.”
“Bob helped me become a good manager, a good coach, and to understand the responsibilities of leadership,” Holmgren added. “That carried with me throughout my career. He was really good to me. I owe him a great deal. I’m honored to have worked for him.”
Harlan struck gold again when he hired Thompson in 2005 as general manager, and six years later, saw him put together a championship team.
Harlan was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2004 and was honored with a plaza in front of Lambeau Field.
Former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers called Harlan a “big reason” why the team selected him, and current general manager Brian Gutekunst said Harlan had “set the standard for what the Green Bay Packers organization should be.”
“His leadership reignited our franchise, not just in terms of success on the field, but in the culture and values that define who we are,” Gutekunst said. “He believed deeply in doing things the right way — treating people with respect, building trust, and always putting the Packers and the community first. Beyond his remarkable accomplishments, Bob was simply a great man — kind, humble, and genuine. He will be missed.”
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