Bob Edgar
Bob Edgar | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 7th district | |
In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1987 | |
Preceded by | Lawrence Williams |
Succeeded by | Curt Weldon |
Personal details | |
Born | Robert William Edgar May 29, 1943 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | April 23, 2013 Burke, Virginia, U.S. | (aged 69)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Merle Louise Deaver |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | Drew University |
Occupation | Politician, administrator, educator, chaplain |
Robert William Edgar (May 29, 1943 – April 23, 2013) was an American politician, administrator, and religious leader. A native of the Philadelphia area, he began his career as a Methodist pastor and chaplain. He served as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1987, representing the 7th district of Pennsylvania. He was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for United States Senate in Pennsylvania in 1986.
After leaving Congress, Edgar served in various religious and political organizations, including as president of the Claremont School of Theology from 1990 to 2000, and as president and CEO of Common Cause, a nonpartisan government watchdog organization, from 2007 until his death.[1]
Background
Edgar was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Springfield, Pennsylvania.[2]
He attended Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then was ordained a minister after graduating with a Master of Divinity degree from the Theological School of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. He received a certificate in pastoral psychiatry from Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia in 1969. He later served as United Protestant Chaplain of Drexel University, and as a special assistant to Congressman Bill Gray.[3] He was also the pastor of a Methodist church in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.[2]
Edgar and his wife, the former Merle Louise Deaver, had two sons.[2]
Congressional career
With his
Serving in the
Representing what was then a classic Rockefeller Republican district, Edgar was reelected five times against vigorous Republican opposition. His closest contests came in 1978, when he only survived by 1,300 votes, and in 1984, when he won by only 412 votes. The latter election came in the midst of Ronald Reagan's landslide reelection victory; Reagan won the district by over 20 points.
Edgar ran for the United States Senate in
Later life
In 1990, Edgar began a ten-year term of service as President of
Edgar served on the boards of several organizations, including Independent Sector, the National Coalition for Health Care, and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. He also served on the board of directors of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, an independent, non-profit organization that is a principal resource for Congress on environmental and energy issues.
He was an endorser of the Genocide Intervention Network.[clarification needed]
In 2000, Edgar began a seven-year term as chief executive of the
Following his retirement from the NCC, he became President of Common Cause in 2007, advocating for publicly funded elections.[2] He served in this role until his death on April 23, 2013, from a heart attack, at his home in Burke, Virginia.[5]
Honors and awards
Edgar was recognized by several national organizations for his work, including by the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and the National Taxpayers Union.[clarification needed][citation needed]
References
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2010) |
- ^ Palmer, Anna (April 23, 2013). "Common Cause president Bob Edgar dies". Politico. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Martin, Douglas (April 25, 2013). "Bob Edgar, 69, Lawmaker And Liberal Leader, Dies". The New York Times. p. A29. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present.
- ^ 2012 Journal and Yearbook, Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church, p. 71.
- ^ Fanlund, Paul (April 23, 2013). "Stunning death of Bob Edgar, an American hero". The Capital Times. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
External links
- Interview with Robert William Edgar by Stephen McKiernan, Binghamton University Libraries Center for the Study of the 1960s, December 3, 2010