Robert Frederick Bennett

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Robert Frederick Bennett (May 23, 1927 – October 9, 2000) was thirty-ninth Governor of Kansas from 1975 to 1979. A lawyer, he was born May 27, 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri and died October 9, 2000 of lung cancer at the St. Joseph's Medical Center in Kansas City.

Bennett 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. 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.

He is buried in Corinth Cemetery, Prairie Village, Kansas.

[edit] Trivia

• Bennett had no speechwriters on his staff, and considered his annual legislative message to be his most important duty.

[edit] External links

• Robert Frederick Bennett at Find A Grave

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