Robert D. Orr

Robert Dunkerson Orr (November 17, 1917 – March 10, 2004) was an American political leader and the 45th Governor of Indiana from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party.

Early life

Robert D. Orr was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his family was vacationing, on November 17, 1917, the last of the three children of Samuel Lowery and Louise Dunkerson Orr. His father was an industrialist with interests in many companies whose holdings were centralized in the Orr Iron Company. Orr grew up in Evansville, Indiana where his father's company was headquartered. His family have lived in the area for three generations.

He attended local public schools for most of his early education, but transferred to the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut before his final year of high school beginning in 1934. Upon graduation he was accepted to Yale University, enrolling in 1936. At Yale he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity (Phi chapter). He earned a bachelor's degree in 1940 and then enrolled in Harvard Business School.

Robert D. Orr (bust)

Robert D. Orr is a public artwork by American artist Don Ingle which is located on the Indiana State House: Third Floor Rotunda, which is near Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America. The bust is a bronze political sculpture of Robert D. Orr, the 45th Governor of Indiana. Created in 1987, the bust was a gift by the Rotary International chapter of Evansville, Indiana. The bust measures 30 x 21 x 15 in.; 76.2 x 53.34 x 38.1 cm.

Description

The bronze bust is a 1.5 scale portrait of Robert D. Orr from the mid-chest and above. The bust is made of bronze with a wax patina and was cast with the Lost-wax casting method. Orr is looking forward smiling. The bust contains great detail in the face which includes wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. He is dressed in a collared shirt, tie, and blazer. There is a defined pin on his proper left lapel which represents the Rotary International club. He has a slightly receding hairline with hair parted on the right. The edges of the shoulders seem to be unfinished. They appear to have a bumpy display and is not congruent to the smooth, sharp edges of the tie and blazer. There is a Foundry mark on the proper right, back of the bust. On the proper front right lapel is the artist's signature (Don Ingle) and the date 1987.