Bob Dole is an American politician, attorney, and World War II veteran. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1961 and served in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1996. Indeed, he is the longest-serving Republican Senator in American history. He stepped down from active politics following his defeat in the 1996 presidential election, but remained involved in a variety of domestic and international programs. Among them is the ‘George McGovern-Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program,’ which assists developing countries in combating child hunger and poverty. He also helped raise funds for the National World War II Memorial, and his current goal is to build a memorial for Dwight D. Eisenhower. Simultaneously, he has authored numerous books and is currently employed as Special Counsel by the renowned law firm Alston & Bird. Despite his failing health, he is still as witty and energetic as he was a few decades ago.
Childhood & Adolescence
Bob Dole was born on July 22, 1923 in Russell, Kansas, one of the state’s major cities. Doran Ray Dole sold dairy products such as cream and eggs, while his mother Bina M. Dole traveled and sold sewing machines. Bob was the youngest of three siblings: Kenny, Gloria, and Norma.
When the Great Depression of 1930 began, the family’s financial situation deteriorated significantly. They were forced to relocate to their home’s basement and rent out the upper floors. To supplement his income, Bob began working as a paper boy and soda jerk at a local drug store. The owner of the drugstore later recalled him as a hard worker.
Bob was instilled with the value of hard work and sacrifice during this trying time. Additionally, he developed a sense of trust in God and continued his studies at Russell High School. Bob excelled in sports during his school years, winning numerous matches for the school. He was also an active Boy Scout.
Bob received his high school diploma from Russell High School in 1941 and enrolled at Kansas University. He enrolled in a premedical program there. He excelled in sports here as well, and was soon named to the basketball team, football team, and track team. He did, however, leave college when the United States entered the Second World War.
In 1942, Bob Dole enlisted in the army. He rose to the rank of second lieutenant in the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division and was assigned to Italy in 1944. Bob was severely injured in a German machine gun attack in 1945 while attempting to rescue an army radioman.
His right shoulder was shattered, and his neck and spine vertebrae were fractured. He was strewn with metal shrapnel and was paralyzed from the neck down. Bob was later repatriated to the United States, where he underwent three years of treatment.
Bob recovered to a large extent following extensive treatment; only his right arm and hand remain paralyzed. Fortunately, he met Dr. Hamper Kelikian, a Chicago orthopedist and survivor of the Armenian holocaust himself. He inspired Bob not to dwell on what he had lost, but on what remained.
Encouraged by family and friends, Bob enrolled in the University of Arizona to study art under the G.I. Bill, which provided financial assistance to war veterans for education. He returned to Kansas after a year to study law at Washburn Municipal College in Topeka. In 1952, he earned his LLB degree.
Career of Bob
Bob Dole began his political career while still in college. He was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1950 as a Republican. By the end of his term in 1952, he had earned his L.L.B. and had been admitted to the bar. He then began practicing law in Russell and quickly rose to the position of County Attorney in Russell County.
Bob entered national politics in 1961 when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Kansas’s Sixth Congressional District, which later merged with the Third to form the First Congressional District. Dole was also re-elected in this district.
He retained the seat twice more before deciding to pursue a career in the Senate. He defeated Kansas Governor William H. Avery in 1968 to fill the vacancy left by Senator Frank Carlson. In 1974, 1980, 1986, and 1992, he was re-elected to the position. On June 12, 1996, he resigned from his seat in order to run for President.
Bob Dole held a number of significant positions during his lengthy tenure in the Senate. From 1981 to 1985, he chaired the Senate Finance Committee and served as Minority Leader of the United States Senate from 1987 to 1995.
He also served as Senate Majority Leader twice, from 1985 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 1996. Additionally, he held a position of prominence within the Republican Party. From 1971 to 1973, he served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee and as Leader of the Republican Party in the United States Senate from 1985 to 1996.
Bob Dole was one of the few leaders capable of bridging the conservative-moderate divide. He voted in favor of civil rights legislation but opposed public housing subsidies and healthcare plans. He did, however, advocate for federal assistance to the handicapped and for lowering the eligibility for federal food stamps.
Bob was also the Republican Vice Presidential nominee in 1976, but was unsuccessful in his bid. Then, in 1996, he became the party’s presidential candidate. He also lost this time to President Bill Clinton.
Later Decades of Bob
Bob Dole announced his retirement following his defeat in the 1996 presidential election. He maintained his political activism, however, and devoted a large portion of his energy to his speaking engagements. He also focused on his career as a lawyer, devoting a significant amount of time and energy to his law firm.
Dole established the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics in Kansas in 2003. It is a nonpartisan political institute dedicated to reestablishing bipartisanship in politics. Additionally, he became involved in a variety of domestic and international programs dedicated to eradicating hunger and poverty.
Another feather in his cap is the ‘George McGovern-Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.’ The program was founded by Bob Dole and George McGovern and is largely funded by the United States Congress. It provides free meals to over 22 million children in 41 countries.
Bob Dole remains perpetually active, despite his failing health, at the moment. He is frequently seen lobbying for support for the National Eisenhower Memorial at the entrance to the National World War II Memorial. Previously, he raised more than $170 million for the privately funded WWII memorial on his own.
Significant Works of Bob
Bob Dole is active in a number of domestic and international programs aimed at eradicating hunger and poverty. He also played a critical role in the privately funded WWII memorial’s construction, raising more than $170 million.
Awards and Accomplishments
Dole was decorated three times during WWII for his valor. He received ‘Purple Hearts’ as compensation for his injuries. He was also awarded a ‘Bronze Star’ with a combat “V” for his valor in rescuing the radioman.
President Clinton presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1997 for his military service and political career.
Dole was the 1997 recipient of the United States Senator John Heinz Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official.
Dole received the American Patriot Award in 2004 for his lifetime commitment to his country and his service during World War II.
Bob Dole received the Survivor’s Gratitude Award from the National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial (NCAGC) on September 30, 2015, for his efforts to bring awareness to the Armenian Genocide.
Personal History and Legacies
Bob Dole married occupational therapist Phyllis Holden in 1948. He was, however, rarely present to make this marriage work. Despite this, the couple welcomed a daughter named Robin into the world in 1954. Later that year, Bob Dole filed for divorce from his wife. According to the grapevine, she was taken aback by the news. The divorce was finalized in 1972.
Bob met Elizabeth Alexander Hansford the same year, and the couple married in 1975. Elizabeth Dole was a United States Senator from South Carolina who served in a variety of high-ranking positions throughout her lengthy political career. There is no conflict between the couple.
The former Percy Jones Army Hospital, which treated Bob Dole following the war, is now known as the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center. The hospital was renamed in honor of three former patients who went on to become US Senators: Bob Dole, Philip Hart, and Daniel Inouye.
Estimated Net Worth
Bob Dole was an American politician who died with a net worth of $40 million. That was his net worth in combination with his widow, Elizabeth Dole. Bob Dole died at the age of 98 on December 5, 2021.