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FacebookFormer Howard Hughes confidant dies at 90
Published Tue, Aug 5, 2008 (9:34 a.m.)
Updated Tue, Aug 5, 2008 (3:56 p.m.)
Howard Hughes' Alter Ego
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Sun Topics
UPDATE: His was the influence that backed Hughes’ cash
Robert Maheu, the longtime confidant of Howard Hughes, has died at age 90.
Maheu, a former FBI agent, served as Hughes' right-hand man and alter ego for 13 years. Maheu moved to Las Vegas from Los Angeles in 1966 when Hughes relocated to the top floor of the Desert Inn, which Hughes purchased when hotel management asked him to leave that year in time for New Year's Eve crowds.
“We weren’t gambling and we were tying up their best rooms — they were justified in trying to kick us out,” Maheu recalled in a 2004 interview with the Las Vegas Sun.
Those wanting to attend the noon Saturday funeral at St. Viator's Catholic Church, 2461 E. Flamingo Road, are asked to use the Eastern Avenue entrance due to road construction blocking access on Flamingo Road, a church spokeswoman said.. The funeral is open to the public.
Maheu was born on Oct. 30, 1917, in Waterville, Maine. After graduating from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During World War II he posed as a German sympathizer.
In 1947, Maheu established his own investigative company. He also worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. He later admitted: "The CIA was my first steady client, giving me 'cut-out' assignments (those jobs in which the agency could not officially be involved)." This work brought him into contact with Howard Hughes, and in the late 1950s Maheu worked for him on a freelance basis. This included intimidating would-be blackmailers and obtaining information on business rivals.
Maheu began full-time work for Howard Hughes in 1966. He moved to Las Vegas, where he ran Hughes's casinos. Maheu explained later what his role was in the operation: "When he came here, he wanted to tie up all the property on the Strip to develop it properly. He didn't want it to be honky-tonk or like Coney Island. Hughes was a catalyst in the city cleaning up its act."
After losing his job with Howard Hughes in 1970, Maheu established a new company in Las Vegas called Robert A. Maheu and Associates. In 1993 Maheu published the book, "Next to Hughes," an autobiography written with Richard Hack.
In 13 years serving with Hughes, where he held the billionaire's power of attorney and spoke on Hughes' behalf for all public purposes, Maheu saw Hughes two times.
Maheu had battled cancer and heart problems. He would have turned 92 in October.
Maheu is survived by thee sons, Peter, Bill and Robert, 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Find additional coverage of Robert Maheu in Wednesday’s edition of the Las Vegas Sun.
Discussion: 11 comments so far…
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I am so sorry to hear about this. My deepest wishes for comfort go out to his family! R.I.P. "IronBob".
What an interesting and exciting life rest in peace.
Rest In Peace Uncle Bob. You will be sadly missed.
I was fortunate along with my wife Chris to have met and spoken to Bob Maheu on a few occasions! He was a mover and a shaker and a gentleman!
RIP Mr "Iron Bob" Maheu. God Bless you for all you have done for us CMKX'ers. You were, and always will stand tall in our eyes. Look down upon us with smile as we now continue this long, arduous task without you, sir. Once again, thank you.
Bob from the CMKX proboards86
May You Rest In Eternal Peace Mr. "Iron Bob" Mahue.
Many Will Thank You for all of your help and blessings you have bestowed on all that God has put your hand to service in his name.
Thanks for your compassion and hard work for those extraordinary things you've accomplished for many to shake their heads at in awe by the "seen" and "unseen" good deeds that could only have been done by a Robert Mahue.
I Thank and Commend You for never giving up Sir!
You have fought the "good" fight and have stories of accomplishment to tell that would blow anyone's mind.
But that's not your style....for the works you have done will speak volumes for themselves and tell their own stories better than words ever could.
Robert Maheu was a man of character and greatness.
Thank you Mr. Maheu, for working with conviction, and skill and for not giving up when the odds appeared insurmountable. You were willing to go unrecognized in your achievements in many areas, especially your recent projects. It is with deep appreciation and admiration that I write this. Thank you for the changes that so many of us believe have come about (and are still to come) mainly because of your efforts and tenacity. Some may try to take the credit in the future but there are thousands of us who know better..
You professed a faith in Jesus Christ and said you had made peace with Him.. At this very moment, I picture you with Him and how very small these very "important" worldly issues have just become to you..
God bless you now and your family as they mourn your passing..
Warmly,
one of many CMKX shareholders
Our Condolences to Mr. Maheu’s family.
“Iron Bob” had the intelligence and ability to solve the seemingly insolvable problems, and will be greatly missed by those who knew of his many accomplishments.
He had an amazing life and passed with admiration, honor and praise by thousands of people for his accomplishment’s and integrity.
We have lost one of the great father’s of man, and wish him well on his journey.
Peace, love and prosperity to the CMKX shareholders that know and appreciate what this great man did for us. We were blessed to have Mr. Maheu on our side and we will remember him well.
May he rest in peace and may his family flourish from the many lesson’s he offered in his life.
I moved to LV in 1966 i met MR Maheu at a little restaurant he owned on the corner of eastern and DI.i forget the year. i eat there weekly at night they served the best prim rib.he told me he was CIA. he talked about ARISTOTLE ONASIS and how the cia listend to all of his telephone calls and about his plan to build a super tanker to transport oil from the middle east the super tanker was being built in Bath England and he was sent over there to organize a strike by the workers so the USA could catch up.after the super tanker was completed . ARISTOTLE sent the ship around south africa to saudi arabia and brought it back too europe where he sold the oil for 84 million dollars he had paid 4 million dollars to have the ship to be built and he profited 80 million dollars on the first load of crude oil back then gas cost over 6 dollars a gallon in europe.this is a true story.MR Greenspun let me know if you want more info.he told me about howard hughes buying casino hotels and the glomar exp.ships allfor the CIA.email me
I met Mr. Maheu in 1962, when the Maheus moved to Pacific Palisades, California, and his son Robert R. Maheu was a classmate of mine in the sixth grade at Corpus Christi School. I was a frequent guest at the Maheu home, and I'd never before seen a multiple line telephone in a residence, including one number I was told never to call on, evidently the Hughes Hot Line. I'll always remember Mr. Maheu as a kind gentleman who once included me in a fishing excursion off the coast of Redondo Beach along with the three kids who were still living at home, Robert, Christine, and Billy.
A fine man and a great Dad, Grand Dad and husband too. Mr. Maheu you had more class and dignity in your little finger than so many people in level of life.
Our hearts go out to Billy and the entire family.
Las Vegas is sure the better for you sir.
Rest in Peace, You will be missed