Changes

'''Early years, military, education'''

'''Early years, military, education'''

Himes was born to Elbert Himes (1909-1989)[2] and the former Ethel Whitler in Hartford in western Kentucky, the county seat of Ohio County, which is named for the Ohio River. He graduated in 1950 from Hartford High School and entered the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He served for four years and was a staff sergeant and an aircraft inspector. He was stationed for a time at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, [[Arizona]]. For years afterwards, he attended many Air Force reunions, often driving from Kentucky to [[Texas]] for such gatherings.[3]

Himes was born to Elbert Himes (1909-1989)[2] and the former Ethel Whitler in Hartford in western Kentucky, the county seat of Ohio County, which is named for the Ohio River. He graduated in 1950 from Hartford High School and entered the [[United States Air Force]] during the [[Korean War]]. He served for four years and was a staff sergeant and an aircraft inspector. He was stationed for a time at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, [[Arizona]]. For years afterwards, he attended many Air Force reunions, often driving from Kentucky to [[Texas]] for such gatherings.[3]

Himes first studied at the two-year Hartford College in Hartford. The defunct institution was located on East Union Street in Hartford on the site of the current offices of the Ohio County school superintendent. After his military service, Himes procured the bachelor of arts degree in history and political science from the Methodist-affiliated Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro. In 1959, he received the master of arts degree in social science from Appalachian State University in Boone in western [[North Carolina]]. He taught history for two years at Appalachian State. He also did other graduate work at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green and at [[Vanderbilt University]] in [[Nashville]], [[Tennessee]]. At the 1999 Campbellsville University commencement ceremony, Himes received an honorary doctor of humane letters. He did not, however, hold a Ph.D. in an academic field.[1]

Himes first studied at the two-year Hartford College in Hartford. The defunct institution was located on East Union Street in Hartford on the site of the current offices of the Ohio County school superintendent. After his military service, Himes procured the bachelor of arts degree in history and political science from the Methodist-affiliated Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro. In 1959, he received the master of arts degree in social science from Appalachian State University in Boone in western [[North Carolina]]. He taught history for two years at Appalachian State. He also did other graduate work at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green and at [[Vanderbilt University]] in [[Nashville]], [[Tennessee]]. At the 1999 Campbellsville University commencement ceremony, Himes received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. He did not, however, hold a Ph.D. in an academic field.[1]

Himes was twenty-nine when he joined the Campbellsville University faculty. His long-time colleagues in history and political science were Gilbert R. Tredway of Jasper, Indiana (born 1922; retired 1984), Damon R. Eubank (born 1959) of Campbellsville, and William Edward Bennett (1943-2006), a former member of the Taylor County School Board. Another colleague was former Kentucky State Representative Russ Mobley of Campbellsville. Himes for a number of years directed the CU European-study program during the summer session.  

Himes was twenty-nine when he joined the Campbellsville University faculty. His long-time colleagues in history and political science were Gilbert Riley Tredway of Jasper, Indiana (born 1922; retired 1984), Damon R. Eubank (born 1959) of Campbellsville, and William Edward Bennett (1943-2006), a former member of the Taylor County School Board. Another colleague was former Kentucky State Representative Russ Mobley of Campbellsville. Himes for a number of years directed the CU European-study program during the summer session.  

Campbellsville University, founded in 1906 as Russell Creek Academy, had in 2008 an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students who represented 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 29 nations. The university was included in ''U.S. News & World Report'' 2008 listing of "America’s Best Colleges." It ranked 22nd in "Best Baccalaureate Colleges" in the American South and eighth in the South for "Great Schools, Great Prices."[1]

Campbellsville University, founded in 1906 as Russell Creek Academy, had in 2008 an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students who represented 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 29 nations. The university was included in ''U.S. News & World Report'' 2008 listing of "America’s Best Colleges." It ranked 22nd in "Best Baccalaureate Colleges" in the American South and eighth in the South for "Great Schools, Great Prices."[1]

'''Himes in politics'''

'''Himes in politics'''

Himes served as Taylor County GOP chairman from 1982—1992. He once traced his political interest to elementary school in Hartford, when in 1940 as a child, he advocated the election of [[Wendell Willkie]] for U.S. President over Democrat [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].[7]

Himes served as Taylor County GOP chairman from 1982 to 1992. He once traced his political interest to elementary school in Hartford, when in 1940 as a child, he advocated the election of [[Wendell Willkie]] for U.S. President over Democrat [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].[7]

In 1964, he was a [[Barry Goldwater]] Republican, recalled former CU colleague, Dr. Robert S. Clark (1931-2013),[10] a Democrat.[1] As county chairman in 1984, Himes worked to elect McConnell, then the county judge of Jefferson County (Louisville), to the Senate in what turned out to have been a narrow upset of the Democratic incumbent Walter D. Huddleston. In 2003, he was active in the campaign to elect U.S. Representative Ernie Fletcher as the first Republican governor of Kentucky in more than three decades.

In 1964, he was a [[Barry Goldwater]] Republican, recalled former CU colleague, Dr. Robert S. Clark (1931-2013),[10] a Democrat.[1] As county chairman in 1984, Himes worked to elect McConnell, then the county judge of Jefferson County (Louisville), to the Senate in what turned out to have been a narrow upset of the Democratic incumbent Walter D. Huddleston. In 2003, he was active in the campaign to elect U.S. Representative Ernie Fletcher as the first Republican governor of Kentucky in more than three decades.

Governor Fletcher presented Himes with the Kentucky "Unbridled Spirit" Award, given to those who demonstrate extraordinary effort in such areas as volunteerism, community or charitable work, and education. Fletcher presented the surprise designation to Himes on April 3, 2007, at the dedication of the Heartland Parkway. When completed, the 60-mile highway will connect the Louie B. Nunn Parkway at Columbia with the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway at Springfield by widening the existing United States Highway 68 and two state highways. Thereafter Fletcher was handily defeated in a bid for a second term.[8]

Governor Fletcher presented Himes with the Kentucky "Unbridled Spirit" Award, given to those who demonstrate extraordinary effort in such areas as volunteerism, community or charitable work, and education. Fletcher presented the surprise designation to Himes on April 3, 2007, at the dedication of the Heartland Parkway. When completed, the 60-mile highway will connect the Louie B. Nunn Parkway at Columbia with the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway at Springfield by widening the existing United States Highway 68 and two state highways. Thereafter Fletcher was handily defeated in a bid for a second term.[8]

In a speech on the Senate floor delivered after the death of Himes, McConnell extolled Himes’ commitment to education, community, and nation. McConnell recalled how Himes had gone out of his way to assist Mrs. McConnell, United States Secretary of Labor [[Elaine Chao]], when “she was new to to Kentucky and just getting to know people. Dr. Himes was so friendly and helpful; they soon became fast friends. He was a great guide to the people and places in Kentucky. . . . Kentucky and our nation have lost a great American . . . And I have lost a dear beloved friend.”[7]

In a speech on the Senate floor delivered after the death of Himes, McConnell extolled Himes’ commitment to education, community, and nation. McConnell recalled how Himes had gone out of his way to assist Mrs. McConnell, United States Secretary of Labor [[Elaine Chao]], when “she was new to to Kentucky and just getting to know people. Dr. Himes was so friendly and helpful; they soon became fast friends. He was a great guide to the people and places in Kentucky. ... Kentucky and our nation have lost a great American ... And I have lost a dear beloved friend.”[7]

On August 6, 2008, the Legislative Research Commission, meeting in the state capitol of Frankfort, passed a resolution of sympathy on Himes’ death and swapped stories about the former professor’s life story.[9]

On August 6, 2008, the Legislative Research Commission, meeting in the state capitol of Frankfort, passed a resolution of sympathy on Himes’ death and swapped stories about the former professor’s life story.[9]

'''Educational honors'''

'''Educational honors'''

   

   

The late Professor Himes pauses for a break in this 1986 photo.Himes was twice named “Educator of the Year” by the Campbellsville/Taylor County Chamber of Commerce. He was named “Man of the Year” in 2001 by the Business and Professional Women’s Club and in 2004 by the ''Central Kentucky News-Journal''. In 1982, the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies named him “Outstanding Social Studies Teacher”.[7] Himes was known as a strong booster of Lady Tiger basketball at Campbellsville University. Coach Donna Wise described her friend as “an avid fan and an upbeat personality for everyone involved. We have honored Bobby for several years in our awards banquet with the Bob Himes Award . . . [for] dedication, determination and loyalty.”[7] Himes was a member of Campbellsville Baptist Church. He was also affiliated with the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, was a collector of antique cars, and formerly owned a Gulf Oil service station on Lebanon Avenue in Campbellsville.[1]

Himes was twice named “Educator of the Year” by the Campbellsville/Taylor County Chamber of Commerce. He was named “Man of the Year” in 2001 by the Business and Professional Women’s Club and in 2004 by the ''Central Kentucky News-Journal''. In 1982, the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies named him “Outstanding Social Studies Teacher”.[7] Himes was known as a strong booster of Lady Tiger basketball at Campbellsville University. Coach Donna Wise described her friend as “an avid fan and an upbeat personality for everyone involved. We have honored Bobby for several years in our awards banquet with the Bob Himes Award ... [for] dedication, determination and loyalty.”[7] Himes was a member of Campbellsville Baptist Church. He was also affiliated with the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, was a collector of antique cars, and formerly owned a Gulf Oil service station on Lebanon Avenue in Campbellsville.[1]

[[Category:Republican Party]]

[[Category:Republican Party]]

[[Category:Baptists]]

[[Category:Baptists]]