Richard L. Roudebush

(Jan. 18, 1918-Jan. 28, 1995). Richard L. Roudebush was born in Hamilton County, Indiana on January 18, 1918. He attended Hamilton County public schools, where his mother was a teacher, and he graduated from Butler University in 1941. From a farm family, Roudebush became a partner in a livestock commission company. He was also a fifth-generation member of Refuge Christian Church in Noblesville.

Roudebush served in the United States Army as a demolition specialist during World War II, from November 1941 to August 1944, winning five battle stars. He served as the National Commander of Veterans for Foreign Wars from 1957-1958, and the chairman of Indiana Veterans Commission from 1954-1960. Roudebush served as a U.S. Representative (R) from Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District from 1961-1971.

During his time in Congress, Roudebush worked on legislation relating to agriculture, air traffic safety, crime, defense spending, and veterans benefits. He served the House Committee on Science and Astronautics and the House Un-American Activities Committee. Roudebush was also involved in issues such as the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the war in Vietnam, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and lowering the voting age to 18. 

In 1970, Roudebush ran for a seat in the United States Senate but was unsuccessful. A year later, he was sworn in as the assistant deputy administrator of the United States Veterans Administration (VA), where he served until 1976.

Roudebush died on January 28, 1995, at the age of 77. He was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The Veterans Administration Hospital in Indianapolis is named for him.

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