Robert D. Orr
| Robert Orr | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| United States Ambassador to Singapore | |
|
In office July 14, 1989 – September 12, 1992 |
|
| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Daryl Arnold |
| Succeeded by | Jon Huntsman |
| 45th Governor of Indiana | |
|
In office January 12, 1981 – January 9, 1989 |
|
| Lieutenant | John Mutz |
| Preceded by | Otis R. Bowen |
| Succeeded by | Evan Bayh |
| 44th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana | |
|
In office January 8, 1973 – January 12, 1981 |
|
| Governor | Otis R. Bowen |
| Preceded by | Richard E. Folz |
| Succeeded by | John Mutz |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Dunkerson Orr November 17, 1917 Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | March 10, 2004 (aged 86) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Crown Hill Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Josie Wallace (1946–2000) Mary Davis (2001–2004) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education |
Yale University (BA) Harvard University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1941–1946 |
| Rank |
 Major
|
| Battles/wars |
World War II • Pacific Theater |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
Robert Dunkerson Orr (November 17, 1917 – March 10, 2004) was an American political leader and the 45th Governor of Indiana from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Robert D. Orr was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his family was vacationing, on November 17, 1917, the last of the three children of Samuel Lowery and Louise Dunkerson Orr. His father was an industrialist with interests in many companies whose holdings were centralized in the Orr Iron Company. Orr grew up in Evansville, Indiana where his father's company was headquartered. His family have lived in the area for three generations.
He attended local public schools for most of his early education, but transferred to the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut before his final year of high school beginning in 1934. Upon graduation he was accepted to Yale University, enrolling in 1936. At Yale he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity (Phi chapter). He earned a bachelor's degree in 1940 and then enrolled in Harvard Business School.
After the outbreak of World War II, he left Harvard without graduating to join the Army. He was admitted to Officer's Candidate School and after completing his course served as on the staff of the quartermaster's general staff in the Pacific Theater, eventually rising to the rank of major. For his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. He met Joanne "Josie" Wallace who served in the Women's Air Force Service Pilots, while he was serving. After their discharge in 1946 they married, settled in Evansville, and eventually had three children.
After returning home, Orr entered into the family business, and became active in Republican politics of Vanderburgh County. Many Evansville factories had been creating war implements, and the end of the conflict led many of them to close. Orr began purchasing vacated factories, refurbishing them to produce goods, and selling them. Through his activity he became involved in a local economic development committee. His business and holding expanded rapidly and by 1953 he was on the board of twenty local businesses including Erie Investments, Sterling Brewers, and Grand Junction, and was director of twelve other companies. He was on several civic boards including the Rotary Club, Evansville YMCA, Willard Library, Buffalo Trace Council or Boy Scouts of America, and the Presbyterian Church of Evansville. Because of his community service, he was awarded the Jaycees Young Man of the Year award in 1953. As a result of the award, he was invited to serve as a trustee of Hanover College, a position he held for decades.
...
Wikipedia