Robert “Bob” J. Dole, an October 4, 1942, initiate of the Kappa Sigma chapter at the University of Kansas, died on December 5, 2021, at the age of 98.
He was the first Kappa Sigma to be named Kappa Sigma Man of the Year twice, 50 years apart, in 1970 and in 2020. He was inducted as a member of the Kappa Sigma Hall of Honor in 2009, the 14th Kappa Sig to be given this honor.
Dole during his days as a collegiate member of Kappa Sigma
Dole was a pledge of the fraternity on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He entered the U.S. Army in June 1943 and later attended Officer Candidate School. He went oversees in December 1944 and was seriously wounded in northern Italy April 1945. Dole was awarded two Purple Hearts and Bronze Star for valor. He spent three years convalescing in U.S. hospitals. He married his first wife Phyllis Holden and enrolled at Washburn University. He graduated with a law degree in 1952.
In 1960, Dole was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives serving until he became a U.S. Senator in 1969. He spent 30 years representing Kansas in the Senate and was Republican Leader for the last 11 of those years.
Divorced in 1972, Dole married Elizabeth Hanford, a Delta Delta Delta initiate from Duke University on December 6, 1975. A power couple, she later served in the U.S. Senate representing North Carolina.
He was the running mate of Gerald Ford (a Delta Kappa Epsilon from the University of Michigan) in 1976. In 1987, Dole was the keynote speaker at Kappa Sigma’s 56th Biennial Grand Conclave.
Dole was the nominee in the 1996 presidential election. Kappa Sigma chapter houses were visited along the campaign stops.
The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas, was dedicated on Dole’s 80th birthday, July 22, 2003.Its mission is “to promote political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bi-partisan, balanced manner.” The Institute has unique displays relating to Dole’s life. Most of the photos in this post were taken at the Dole Institute. The Senator’s congressional papers are housed there. The Institute also sponsors programs throughout the year.
In 2010, according to Kappa Sigma, the fraternity and “the Fisher House Foundation dedicated a Fisher House at the VA Hospital in Washington D.C. in honor of Brother Dole. Brother Dole’s wife, Senator Elizabeth Dole participated and spoke at the groundbreaking and cornerstone dedication ceremony. This was made possible through the hard work and efforts of Chapters of Kappa Sigma Fraternity through the Military Heroes Campaign. This achievement was a most historic moment in the history of the Order and recognized a great patriot and leader in the history of the United States.”
