Robert L. Rock

Robert L. Rock
30th Mayor of Anderson, Indiana
In office
1972–1980
Preceded by J. Ed Flanagan
Succeeded by Thomas R. McMahan
50th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana
In office
January 11, 1965  January 13, 1969
Governor Roger D. Branigin
Preceded by Richard O. Ristine
Succeeded by Richard E. Folz
Personal details
Born September 8, 1927
Alexandria, Indiana, U.S.
Died January 9, 2013 (aged 85)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Mary Jo Ferguson (1956-2013, his death)
Children Four
Alma mater Business (Indiana University)
Occupation Politician

Robert L. Rock (September 8, 1927 January 9, 2013) was an American politician who served as the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana from 1965 to 1969 and as the Mayor of Anderson, Indiana from 1972 to 1980. He was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Indiana in 1968, but lost to Republican Edgar Whitcomb.

Early life

Born in Alexandria, Indiana, Rock grew up in Anderson, Indiana. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a hospital corpsman at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in business in 1951.[1]

Political career

In 1954, at the age of 26, Rock was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives as a Democrat serving in the 1955, 1959, 1961, and 1963 sessions. Then he served as Lieutenant Governor of Indiana from 1965-1969. In 1968, Rock was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Indiana, but lost the election. He later served as Mayor of Anderson, Indiana from 1972-1980, where he established the Anderson Housing Authority Commission and the City of Anderson Transportation System (CATS).

Personal life

In 1956, he married Mary Jo Ferguson with whom he had four children and later nine grandchildren.

Death

Rock died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 9, 2013 at the age of 85.[2][3][4]

References

  1. 'Mayor Robert L. Rock Dies at 85,' Baylee Pulliam, The Herald Bulletin, January 9, 2013
  2. Former Lt. Governor Rock Dies At 85
  3. Obituary for Robert L. Rock
  4. Obituary for Robert L. Rock