U. L. "Rip" Gooch | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Kansas Senate from the 29th district | |
| In office January 11, 1993 – January 2, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Ward |
| Succeeded by | Donald Betts |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 13, 1923 Ripley, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | November 24, 2021 (aged 98) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Augusta |
| Residence | Wichita, Kansas |
| Occupation | Pilot, businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Ulysses Lee Gooch (September 13, 1923 – November 24, 2021), often known as Rip Gooch, was an American pilot, aviation entrepreneur, and politician in Kansas. Gooch was a member of the Kansas Commission on Civil Rights, 1971–74; member of the Wichita City Council, 1989–93; and a Kansas state senator (D-Wichita, 29th District – central-northeast Wichita) from 1993 until retiring in January 2004 as the state's oldest serving senator, at 80. Gooch was one of the first inductees to the Black Aviation Hall of Fame.[1][2][3]
- ^ "Rip Gooch Memorial," Kansas Aviation Museum, retrieved May 9, 2023
- ^ Newton, Ryan (November 25, 2021). "Former Kansas state senator, Wichita city councilman, and Army pilot dies (Kansas State Network)". ksn.com.
- ^ Gooch, Bonita, editor: "Rip Gooch, Who Stood Strong for the Community, Passed Away," November 25, 2021, The Community Voice, retrieved May 9, 2023