Robert Docking

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 (1925-10-09)October 9, 1925 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Died	October 8, 1983(1983-10-08) (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.