Robert Russell Whittaker (born September 18, 1939) is an American medical professional and former six-term U.S. Representative from Kansas, serving from 1979 to 1991.

Bob Whittaker
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kansas's 5th district
In office
January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1991
Preceded byJoe Skubitz
Succeeded byDick Nichols
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 77th district
In office
1975-1977
Preceded byNewt Male
Succeeded byKenneth King
Personal details
Born
Robert Russell Whittaker

(1939-09-18) September 18, 1939 (age 85)
Eureka, Kansas
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUniversity of Kansas
Emporia State University
Professionoptometrist

Early life

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Whittaker was born in Eureka, Kansas and was educated in the Greenwood County public schools. He attended the University of Kansas from 1957 to 1959, and Emporia State University during the summer of 1959.[1] Whittaker earned his Doctor of Optometry degree (O.D.) from Illinois College of Optometry in 1962, and began practice as an optometrist. He was clinic director for the Kansas Low Vision Clinic in 1973.

Political career

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Whittaker's first foray into politics was as precinct committeeman and member of the city planning commission from 1970 to 1974. He served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1974 to 1977.

Congress

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Whittaker was elected as a Republican to the Ninety-sixth and to the five succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1991).[2] He was not a candidate for renomination in 1990 to the One Hundred Second Congress.

Later career

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After leaving Congress, he was hired as a senior legislative analyst at the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying and public relations firm Fleishman-Hillard.[3]

He is a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

References

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  1. ^ "WHITTAKER, Robert Russell, (1939 - )". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  2. ^ "Rep. Robert Whittaker". govtrack.us. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  3. ^ "Washington Post newsmakers column". Washington Post. April 1, 1991.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kansas's 5th congressional district

1979 – 1991
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative
Succeeded byas Former US Representative

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress