John R. Dellenback

John Richard Dellenback (November 6, 1918 – December 7, 2002) was a Republican U.S. congressman from Oregon.

John Dellenback
7th Director of the Peace Corps
In office 1975–1977
President	Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Nicholas Craw
Succeeded by	Carolyn R. Payton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 4th district
In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1975
Preceded by	Robert B. Duncan
Succeeded by	James H. Weaver
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office 1960–1966
Personal details
Born	(1918-11-06)November 6, 1918 Chicago, Illinois
Died	December 7, 2002(2002-12-07) (aged 84) Medford, Oregon
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Mary Jane Dellenback
Alma mater	Yale University University of Michigan

Dellenback speaking in 1972

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Dellenback's maternal grandparents were Norwegian and his paternal grandparents were each from Alsace-Lorraine and Germany.[1] After graduating from Yale University, he served in the United States Navy during World War II, then received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1949 and began teaching law at Oregon State College (later Oregon State University) that same year.

In 1960, Dellenback was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives, and in 1966, was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Oregon's 4th congressional district. While in Congress, Dellenback, a Republican, earned a reputation as an independent thinker. He wrote legislation to establish the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, worked to pass a bill that made pipeline permit-holders and shippers liable for oil spills,[2] and supported federal Title IX legislation for equal opportunity for boys and girls in athletics.[3]

Dellenback served four terms in the House and was defeated in the 1974 elections by liberal Democrat Jim Weaver. Dellenback's defeat is largely attributed to the anti-Republican mood of the electorate in the wake of the Watergate scandal.

After leaving Congress, Dellenback was appointed by President Gerald Ford as director of the Peace Corps, where he served from 1975 to 1977. From 1977 to 1988, Dellenback was president of the Christian College Coalition (now called the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities.[2]

Dellenback died in Medford, Oregon of viral pneumonia in 2002.[3]

To date, he is the last Republican to serve as representative from Oregon’s 4th congressional district.