Former longtime Murfreesboro City Councilman and local businessman Robert Rose has passed away. He died Wednesday at the age of 91.

In 1949, Rose became the manager and general insurance agent of Rutherford County Farm Bureau where he remained until his retirement in 1985. Under his leadership, Rutherford County Farm Bureau grew to be the largest agency in the state of Tennessee. In 1953, he helped organize the Optimist Club of Murfreesboro where he served as its president. In 1955, he was one of the organizers of the National Bank of Murfreesboro, which was later bought by First Tennessee Bank.

In 1956, he was elected to the Rutherford County School Board from the old 13th district where he served for eight years. In 1966, he was elected to the Murfreesboro City Council where he served for sixteen years. While on the Council, he was appointed to the Murfreesboro Electric Board where he served for sixteen years. In 1989, he was appointed as a Democrat in the County Election Commission until his retirement in 2008.

Mr. Rose is survived by his wife Joan McCullough Rose, two daughters and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Saturday at Woodfin Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Friday.