Bob Whittaker

Robert Russell "Bob" Whittaker (born September 18, 1939) is a former U.S. Representative from Kansas.

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. 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.

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.

Whittaker was elected as a Republican to the Ninety-sixth and to the five succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1979-January 3, 1991). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1990 to the One Hundred Second Congress. He is a resident of Augusta, Kansas.