Robert Docking | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 38th Governor of Kansas | |
| In office January 9, 1967 – January 13, 1975 | |
| Lieutenant | John Crutcher James H. DeCoursey, Jr. Reynolds Schultz Dave Owen |
| Preceded by | William H. Avery |
| Succeeded by | Robert F. Bennett |
| Mayor of Arkansas City, Kansas | |
| In office 1963–1966 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Blackwell Docking October 9, 1925 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | October 8, 1983 (aged 57) Merriam, Kansas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Highland Park Cemetery Kansas City, Kansas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Meredith Marina Gear |
| Children | William, Tom |
| Parent | George Docking |
| Alma mater | University of Kansas |
| Profession | Banker, Oilman, Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Unit | Reserves |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Robert Blackwell Docking (October 9, 1925 – October 8, 1983) was an American businessman and politician from Kansas who served as the 38th governor of Kansas from 1967 until 1975. A conservative Democrat in a heavily Republican state, Docking is to date Kansas's only governor to serve four terms.
A son of previous Democratic governor George Docking, he grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war he established a career as a banker and civic leader in Arkansas City, Kansas, eventually becoming mayor. Docking became the first Democrat in state history to unseat an incumbent governor in 1966, and would be reelected in 1968, 1970, and 1972.
A popular figure who was best known for his staunch fiscal conservatism and consistent electoral success, Docking is credited with reviving the Kansas Democratic Party and developing a competitive two-party system in Kansas. He was the father of Lieutenant Governor of Kansas and gubernatorial candidate Thomas Docking, and stepfather of United States Senate candidate Jill Docking.