David Hollister, Former Lansing Mayor, Dies at 84 After 53 Years of Public Service

 David Hollister, former Lansing mayor, died Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at age 84, his family said. He died peacefully in the presence of family, according to the statement. His death closes a public-service career spanning 53 years and multiple levels of government. For Lansing, his name had become closely connected with civic leadership and the city’s modern history. His public legacy reached across generations.

Hollister served as Lansing’s mayor from 1993 to 2003, before leaving office to become director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth under Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Before becoming mayor, he represented Lansing in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1975 through 1993 and served on the Ingham County Board. He entered public life after years as an educator. in Lansing and beyond.

His years as mayor were associated with several developments in Lansing. Hollister led an effort to keep General Motors manufacturing operations in the region after the automaker had considered ending production. The campaign brought civic leaders together to demonstrate the economic importance of GM’s presence. The effort was followed by construction of the Lansing Grand River assembly plant and the Lansing Delta Township plant, developments that became important to the region’s economy.

Hollister was also associated with the transformation of Michigan Avenue and the arrival of minor league baseball in Lansing. He helped bring the Lansing Lugnuts to the city in 1996, and the stadium and surrounding development became part of the Stadium District. City leaders later recognized his role in Lansing’s civic history: in 2017, City Hall was named the David C. Hollister City Hall. Mayor Andy Schor said Hollister helped shape Lansing. The recognition reflected his place in Lansing’s civic history.

His service continued after the mayor’s office. Hollister became a state department director and later served as president and chief executive officer of the Prima Civitas Foundation, working with regional partners in innovation, talent development, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. He also joined regional civic initiatives. A family statement described his career as being guided by public service, civic engagement, and a commitment to improving quality of life for residents in the Lansing area.

Hollister’s path into public life reflected his background in education and community involvement. He was born in Kalamazoo in 1942 and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School before attending Michigan State University, where he earned degrees in history and political science. His family said an encounter with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965 influenced him, and he later volunteered as a teacher in Mississippi Freedom Schools during the summers of 1966 and 1968. Those experiences preceded decades of public work.

For Lansing residents, his death represents the passing of a figure whose career crossed generations of public life. The city’s leaders and former colleagues have begun remembering his service, while his family grieves privately. Hollister leaves behind a record that includes elected office, education, and economic development. His family said additional memorial information would be shared later as arrangements are finalized. His name remains woven into the city’s civic history. across Lansing.