Robert Frederick Bennett

Robert F. Bennett
39th Governor of Kansas
In office January 6, 1975 – January 8, 1979
Lieutenant	Shelby Smith
Preceded by	Robert Docking
Succeeded by	John W. Carlin
Personal details
Born	May 23, 1927 Kansas City, Missouri
Died	October 9, 2000(2000-10-09) (aged 73) Kansas City, Kansas
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Mildred Joan Gregory, Oliva A. D. Fisher
Profession	Attorney, Politician
Religion	Presbyterian

Robert Frederick Bennett (May 23, 1927 – October 9, 2000) was an American lawyer and the 39th Governor of Kansas from 1975 to 1979.

Bennett was born May 23, 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri. He married Joan Gregory, whom he met at Shawnee Mission Rural High School while participating in debate. They had four children: Robert F. (junior), Virginia L., Kathleen, and Patricia. In 1952, Bennett began his own law firm with Robert Lytle. The firm continued for more than 40 years until it merged with Lathrop & Gage in the mid-1990s. From 1957 to 1965, Bennett served as mayor of Prairie Village, Kansas (a suburb of Kansas City). He then served as a member of the Kansas State Senate from 1965 to 1975, just prior to his term as governor. In 1982-1983 he served as Chair of the Kansas Republican Party. Bennett also served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and during the Korean War. He was a member of the American Bar Association, the American Judicature Society, the Freemasons, and the Optimist Club.

Bennett was known for his classic cowboy boots, cowboy hat, and beard. He was an eloquent speaker and would often send reporters scrambling for dictionaries. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.

Bennett died October 9, 2000 of lung cancer at the St. Joseph's Medical Center in Kansas City and was buried in Corinth Cemetery, Prairie Village, Kansas.

External links

• Robert Frederick Bennett at Find a Grave
• http://www.kansas.gov/