Bob Nimmo
Administrator of Veterans Affairs
In office
July 15, 1981 – January 5, 1983
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byMax Cleland
Succeeded byHarry Walters
Member of the California Senate
from the 17th district
In office
December 6, 1976 - November 30, 1980
Preceded byDonald L. Grunsky
Succeeded byHenry J. Mello
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 29th district
In office
January 8, 1973 - November 30, 1976
Preceded byWilliam M. Ketchum
Succeeded byCarol Boyd Hallett
Personal details
Born(1922-02-05)February 5, 1922
Balboa, California, U.S.
DiedNovember 7, 2005(2005-11-07) (aged 83)
Atascadero, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
United States Army Air Corps
Battles/warsWorld War II

Robert Nimmo (February 5, 1922 – November 7, 2005) was an American military officer and politician who served as the Administrator of Veterans Affairs from 1981 to 1983. He previously served in both chambers of the California State Legislature.

Early life and education

Nimmo was born in Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach. He attended California Polytechnic State University.

Career

Nimmo left college to join the United States Army Air Corps in 1940. He flew missions over France and Germany in World War II, but was shot down over Poland and interned in Sweden for three months. After returning to the U.S. he served as a flight instructor until the end of the war.[1]

After the war Nimmo joined the California National Guard, where he served until 1970. He commanded Camp San Luis Obispo and served as the United States Property & Fiscal Officer, and retired as a colonel.[2]

A Republican, Nimmo served in the California State Assembly (1973 to 1976) and California State Senate (1976 to 1980).[3]

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed Nimmo to head the Veterans' Administration, and he served until 1982. Nimmo was known for his preference for cutting funding for VA programs. He referred to veterans groups as "greedy", and to Agent Orange as not much worse than a "little teenage acne", although his supporters argued that these quotes were taken out of context.[4][5] His Deputy, Chuck Hagel, resigned in 1982 over disagreements with Nimmo.[6]

As VA Administrator, Nimmo was also accused of excessive expenditures on redecorating his office, leasing an expensive sedan as his official vehicle, and improperly using the employee designated as his driver. Nimmo reimbursed the government more than $6,000 to compensate for the driver's unauthorized overtime.[7]

After returning to California, Nimmo remained active in civic causes and local government, including service on the Atascadero City Council and a term as the city's mayor (June 26, 1990 to June 1994).[8]

References

  1. ↑ Ellen Holland, Atascadero News, Resolution Dedicates Part of Highway 41 to Bob, Pat Nimmo, July 18, 2008
  2. ↑ San Luis Obispo Tribune, Atascadero's Public Servant Robert Nimmo Dies, November 9, 2005
  3. ↑ United Press International, Pittsburgh Press, Reagan Names VA Chief, May 1, 1981
  4. ↑ MacPherson, Myra, Long Time Passing: Vietnam and the Haunted Generation, Indiana University Press, 2001, p. xxxvi
  5. ↑ United Press International, Ben (Oregon) Bulletin, Unpopular Chief of veterans Administration Resigns, October 6, 1982
  6. ↑ Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, Two Veterans Head List for Chief of VA, October 18, 1982
  7. ↑ Associated Press, Toledo Blade, VA Administrator Reimburses U.S., June 16, 1982
  8. ↑ San Luis Obispo Tribune, Obituary, Bob Nimmo, November 12, 2005
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