Robert D. Orr

Robert Dunkerson Orr (born November 17, 1917 in Evansville , Indiana , † March 10, 2004 in Indianapolis , Indiana) was an American politician and from 1981 to 1989 the 45th governor of the state of Indiana.

Early years and political advancement

Robert Orr studied American history at Yale University until 1940 . He then attended the Harvard Graduate School of Business . During the Second World War he made it to major in the US Army in the Pacific theater of war. Orr was a member of the Republican Party and began his political career in Vanderburgh County . There he rose to become the local party chairman. He was a member of the Indiana Senate from 1969 to 1973, and from 1973 to 1981, he served as Lieutenant Governor, Deputy Governor Otis R. Bowen . During his tenure as Lieutenant Governor, he was Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Agriculture. In 1980 he was elected the new governor of his state with 57.7 percent of the vote against the Democrat John A. Hillenbrand.

Indiana Governor

Robert Orr took up his new position on January 13, 1981. After re-election in 1984, he was able to serve as governor until January 9, 1989. The focus of his eight-year term of office was school policy and the promotion of the economic development of his state. In the field of schooling, among other things, the class size was reduced, especially in the lower school classes. Talented students were encouraged and the teaching profession was made more attractive through better pay. Economically, Indiana experienced its strongest recovery in 40 years during Orr's tenure. Orr was also a member of numerous governors' associations.

After the end of his tenure, Orr was a member of various federal associations. Among other things, he was President of the Council of State Governments . US President George Bush appointed him to succeed Daryl Arnold as the United States Ambassador to Singapore . He held this office until 1992. After that, he founded his own consultancy, which specialized in trade and export business. Robert Orr died in an Indianapolis hospital in March 2004 of complications from kidney surgery. He was married twice and had three children in total.

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personal data
SURNAME	Orr, Robert D.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Orr, Robert Dunkerson (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	November 17, 1917
PLACE OF BIRTH	Evansville , Indiana
DATE OF DEATH	March 10, 2004
Place of death	Indianapolis , Indiana