Docking, Robert Blackwell, 1925-1983

Robert Blackwell Docking served as the thirty-eighth governor of Kansas. He served an unprecedented four two-year terms from January, 1967 to January, 1975. Docking was a Democrat, the first to unseat an incumbent Republican, which he did in 1966 by defeating Governor William Avery. Winning reelection (in 1968) he was only the second Democrat to serve two terms. The only other Democrat to serve as governor for two terms was his father, George Docking, who held the post from 1957 to 1961.

Robert Docking was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 9, 1925. He attended elementary and high school in Lawrence, Kansas. Following high school, Docking attended the University of Kansas and received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in 1948. He later received a certifi-cate of graduation from the Graduate School of Banking, University of Wisconsin. He entered the family banking business in Lawrence in 1950. In 1956, he and his family moved to Arkansas City, Kansas, when Docking became vice-president of the Union State Bank. He was named president of the bank in 1959, a position he held until his election as governor. Prior to his entrance into state politics, Docking served as mayor and as city commissioner in Arkansas City.

Docking married Meredith Gear on June 17, 1950. She was also a graduate of Kansas University and a member of Chi Omega sorority. The Dockings had two sons, William Russell and Thomas Robert.

From the guide to the Robert Blackwell Docking papers, 1966-1975, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)