University Daily Kansan, October 11, 1983
Page 7
Robert Docking honored as a leader of state and KU
Former governor remembered for loyalty to the University
By CHRISTY FISHER Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
Many Kansas might remember Robert Docking as a great governor, but others will likely also remember him for his commitment to higher education and his loyalty to the University of Kansas.
Docking had a long and distinguished history with KU. In 1948 he graduated with honors from the University with a bachelor's degree in business finance. On to earn his graduate degree in banking from the University of Wisconsin.
According to Dick Wintermorte, executive director of the University of Kansas Alumni Association, Docking was an avid KU sports fan. Wintermorte said that before Docking became a senior, he played as a timekeeper at KU basketball games.
ALTHOUGH HIS involvement with the University was limited by his eight-year term as governor, he remained supportive of higher education.
In an acceptance speech, Docking recounted some of his accomplishments.
"As governor, my first responsibility was to preserve and expand quality education in our state's colleges and universities. Early in our administration we set a policy that we would take advantage of the period of declining enrollments at the colleges and universities to improve the quality of
education. We recommended and worked for expansion of academic programs, improved faculty salaries, and building improvements and con
"I ALSO AM proud of our record of defending higher education, particularly in 1971 when the Kansas Legislature slashed the budget for higher education and social welfare; that was a difficult time for Kansas legislative history, but we were successful in raising the budget the following year."
James Bibb, the budget director for Kansas from 1953-1980, and Associate Director of Business Affairs at the University, said, "That portion of the university is high as it's ever been. It would be nice if we could get back to that level."
DOCKING ALSO KEPT a representative of higher education on his personal staff, and he appointed the Board of Regents, working people to the Board of Regents.
Immediately upon his retirement as governor, Docking strengthened his ties with the University. He was elected executive vice-president of the Kansas Association in 1975 and became president of the association the next year.
ARKANSAS CITY — At the funeral for former Kansas Gov. Robert Docking, Meredith Docking, his widow, is consoled by Sen. Robert Dole, R-Kan, as Docking's sons, William and Thomas, look on. About 750 mourners attended yesterday's funeral in Docking's hometown.
Docking a statesman, mourning crowd told
By United Press International
ARKANSAS CITY — Former Gov Robert Docking, the state's 38th governor, who was often credited with putting Democrats in a stronger position in Republican Kansas, was remembered yesterday not as a politician but as a statesman.
About 750 mourners gathered in the southern Kansas town that Docked calling for home for more than three decades to see her.
They included his widow, Meredith; his sons, William Docking and Lt. Gov. Thomas Docking; his mother, Virginia Docking Rice; first lady Karen Carlin; Sen. Robert Dole, B-Kan., and Den Glickman, D-Kan.
The Rev. Charles F. Kiner told those gathered at First United Presbyterian Church that thinking of Docking reminded him of the words of 16th Century Unitarian pastor William J. McCormick, who was one of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation."
"Bob Docking was a statesman," Kriner said. "He thought of the next generation."
Docking will serve as an example to those who aspire to serve in public office. Kriner said.
"BOB DOCKING SPENT MUCH OF his life in the public eye," Kriner said. "He gave of himself to this particular community in which he lived, as he did other communities that he lived.
"He gave of himself to the state and to the nation. He continued to do so as long as his health would allow him to give." Docking as mayor of Arkansas City in the early 1960s.
After the 45-minute ceremony, National Guardmen who served with the governor carried his oak casket, draped with a ceremonial cloth. They were surrounded by flowers.
THE CASKET BEARERS INCLUDED Maj. Gen. Ralph Tice, who worked with Docking during a period of violence at the University of Kansas, and retired Maj. Gen. Edward Fry, who accompanied Docking on his trip to Vietnam in 1967.
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