Bob Walkup
Robert E. Walkup (November 14, 1936 – March 12, 2021) was an American politician who served as the 40th mayor of Tucson from 1999 to 2011. Early life and career Walkup was born in Ames, Iowa, on November 14, 1936. His father was a professor of engineering at Iowa State University. He obtained a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University, before serving in the US Army Corps of Engineers. Upon his return from military service, he worked in the aerospace industry for 35 years. He was employed by Rockwell International, Fairchild Republic, and Hughes Aircraft Company. While working at Rockwell International, Fairchild Republic, he oversaw the production of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. He also served as the chairman of the Tucson Economic Council. Mayoral career Walkup was first elected on November 2, 1999, defeating Democratic former City Councilwoman Molly McKasson and local businessman Bob Beaudry. Benefitting from a split in the Democratic vote, he was sworn into office on December 6, 1999, succeeding two-term Tucson mayor George Miller, who retired from office as the city's longest-serving official. He became the first Republican mayor of Tucson since 1983. During his first term as mayor, Walkup intervened