Hardesty, Robert L. (Robert Lewis)

Dates

• Existence: 1931 June 4 - 2013 July 8
• Existence: 1931-06-04 - 2013-07-08

Biography

Born June 4, 1931, Robert L. Hardesty grew up in St. Louis Missouri. He graduated from George Washington University in 1957. He served in the U.S. Army, and afterwards worked as a reporter and columnist for the Army Times specializing in military and Congressional affairs. In 1964, Hardesty became chief speechwriter for Postmaster General John Gronouski, the Democrats' principal spokesman. After the 1964 election, LBJ aide Jack Valenti recruited Hardesty to work as a speechwriter for President Lyndon B. Johnson. He wrote speeches and worked on legislation until the end of the Johnson administration, when he then moved to Austin to help write Johnson's memoirs, “The Vantage Point.”
In the early 1970s, Hardesty served as press secretary and special assistant to Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe for three years, and has heavily involved in the Democratic party. In 1976, Hardesty joined The University of Texas System as Vice Chancellor for Government Affairs. He also served three terms as Chairman of the Postal Board of Governors.


In 1981, Hardesty was named president of Southwest Texas State University. His administration is credited with the creation of the LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series, the College of General Studies, the Wittliff Collections, and the push to construct the Alkek Library (at its time the largest under construction in the nation). Hardesty expanded private fundraising efforts started by former University President Lee H. Smith and moved the university's sports teams from NCAA Division II to Division I. Under his leadership, the university's enrollment expanded from approximately 16,000 students to over 20,000 by the time he left in 1988, thus increasing the university's statewide visibility. He was often seen around campus with his Golden Retriever named Orloff. Hardesty was dismissed from the position of president with some controversy in 1988 by the Board of Regents influenced by Republican Governor Bill Clements . He pursued legal action following his dismissal which was overturned by a state district court as it was illegal. A Travis County jury ruled Hardesty had been fired for political reason, and he was eventually awarded the title of President Emeritus.


He married Mary Roberts (1964) and later to Alice McDonald (2012) after Mary's passing. He had two daughters and two sons. Hardesty passed away from congestive heart failure on July 8, 2013 in Austin, Texas.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records: