Bob Wilson | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 41st district |
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In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1981 |
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Preceded by | Lionel Van Deerlin |
Succeeded by | Bill Lowery |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 40th district |
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In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1975 |
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Preceded by | None |
Succeeded by | Andrew J. Hinshaw |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 36th district |
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In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1973 |
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Preceded by | None |
Succeeded by | William M. Ketchum |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 30th district |
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In office January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1963 |
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Preceded by | None |
Succeeded by | Edward R. Roybal |
Personal details | |
Born |
Robert Carlton Wilson April 5, 1916 Calexico, California, U.S. |
Died | August 12, 1999 Chula Vista, California, U.S. |
(aged 83)
Resting place |
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery San Diego, California, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Alma mater | San Diego State University |
Robert Carlton "Bob" Wilson (April 5, 1916 – August 12, 1999) was an American politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Wilson was born on April 5, 1916 in Calexico, California. He attended San Diego State College (now San Diego State University) and Otis Art Institute (now Otis College of Art and Design). He served in World War II stateside in the Army commissary, 1940 – 1945. After the war, he was in the Marine Corps Reserve, rising to the rank of colonel, and was a partner in two advertising agencies.
Wilson first became involved in politics campaigning for Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952. He was recruited to run in the newly created 30th District, based in San Diego, California. When Wilson phoned his wife, Jean Bryant Wilson, with the news he was selected by the Republicans to run, she laughed saying "You a Congressman?" He was elected amid Eisenhower's gigantic landslide that year.
Wilson was reelected 13 times, rarely facing serious opposition as San Diego was a Republican stronghold. His campaigns featured anti-communism themes, stressing the importance of a strong military. He also opposed high taxes, championing rugged individualism instead. While in Congress he became a major spokesman for the defense industry and played a large role in the development of a military presence in San Diego. From 1959 until his retirement he was a member of the House Armed Services Committee. From 1968 to his retirement he served as chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee. He was well-known and popular in San Diego, and would blanket his district with pot holders and other gifts with his name on it during election time. Several households still have the 40-page Bob Wilson Barbecue Cook Book he sent out. While in office, he patented a "Smack-Its", a table-top tetherball game.