Bob Stump

Mr. Stump, a Republican, was a strong conservative and a consistent supporter of increased spending on the military and veterans. He retired from Congress in 2002. His district, the Third, stretched from the west side of Phoenix to cover most of the northwest quadrant of the state. Mr. Stump took over the chairmanship of the Armed Services Committee in 2001 and used the position to push for President Bush's missile defense plan, a raise for military personnel and $2 billion in additional military construction. In three terms as chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, he pressed for health benefits and college assistance for veterans. Mr. Stump was elected to the House as a Democrat in 1976. He changed parties in 1981 after voting for President Ronald Reagan's tax cuts. A Representative from Arizona; born in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Ariz., April 4, 1927; graduated from Tolleson High School, Tolleson, Ariz., 1947; B.S., Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., 1951; United States Navy, 1943-1946; farmer; member of the Arizona state house of representatives, 1959-1967; member of the Arizona state senate, 1967-1976; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-fifth and to the two succeeding Congresses; reelected as a Republican to the Ninety-eighth and nine succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1977-January 3, 2003); chair, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (One Hundred Fourth through One Hundred Sixth Congresses); chair, Committee on Armed Services (One Hundred Seventh Congress); not a candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Eighth Congress in 2002; died on June 20, 2003, in Phoenix, Ariz.; interment in Greenwood Memorial Cemetery, Phoenix, Ariz. .