Bob Whittaker

For persons of a similar name, see Robert Whitaker (disambiguation).

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 by	Joe Skubitz
Succeeded by	Dick Nichols
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 77th district
In office January 1975 – January 1977
Preceded by	Newt Male
Succeeded by	Kenneth King
Personal details
Born	Robert Russell Whittaker (1939-09-18) September 18, 1939 (age 86) Eureka, Kansas, U.S.
Party	Republican
Education	University of Kansas Emporia State University Illinois College of Optometry (OD)

Early life

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

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

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

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.