Robert Joseph Dole, commonly known as Bob Dole (July 22, 1923 – December 5, 2021), was an American politician, attorney, and World War II veteran. Born in Russell, Kansas, and raised during the Great Depression, he served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division in Italy during World War II, where he was severely wounded in 1945 and was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.

After the war Dole earned a law degree from Washburn University, practiced law in Russell, and served as Russell County Attorney from 1950 to 1960. He began his national political career in the U.S. House of Representatives (1960–1969) before winning election to the U.S. Senate from Kansas, where he served from 1969 until 1996. In the Senate he held party leadership posts including Senate Majority Leader (1985–1987 and 1995–1996) and Minority Leader (1987–1995). He was the Republican nominee for Vice President in 1976 alongside Gerald Ford and the Republican presidential nominee in 1996.

Dole was known for his sharp wit, mastery of Senate procedure, and bipartisan deal-making. He played key roles in major legislation, including the 1983 Social Security reforms and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. After leaving the Senate he worked as a lobbyist and advisor and remained active in public life. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1997.

Dole was married twice: to Phyllis Holden (1948–1972), with whom he had a daughter, Robin, and to Elizabeth Hanford Dole from 1975 until his death. He died on December 5, 2021, in Washington, D.C., at age 98 after a battle with lung cancer. His legacy endures as a symbol of Midwestern grit, legislative craftsmanship, and post-war American resilience, though he also faced criticism for his roles in partisan battles and for opposition to certain civil rights measures early in his career.