25 Facts About Bob Greive

Bob Greive served in the Washington State Senate from 1947 to 1975.

Bob Greive's father was a shipyard worker who became the owner of a salvage company and his mother was a Canadian immigrant who was active in the Democratic Party.

Bob Greive attended a number of Catholic elementary schools and O'Dea High School, where his dyslexia caused him difficulty with reading and math but where he achieved better results in art and debate.

Bob Greive completed one year of post-graduate work at the high school.

Bob Greive studied commercial art at the Cornish School and was a skilled illustrator and cartoonist, but when the United States entered World War II in 1941, he joined the Coast Guard.

Bob Greive illustrated the Coast Guard's publications from his station in Puget Sound.

Bob Greive married Barbara Shea and the couple had six children before ultimately divorcing after 37 years of marriage.

Bob Greive first ran for the Washington State Senate in 1946.

Bob Greive was diligent about his campaign, designing his own campaign advertisements and campaigning door to door.

Bob Greive was still a law student at the time, although he ultimately failed out, an event that he blamed on the university's opposition to his proposed legislation to shorten the length of the law school course from four years to three.

Bob Greive received his law degree in 1951 after briefly attending classes at the University of Idaho before ultimately graduating from the University of Miami.

Bob Greive worked as a lawyer throughout his life, primarily focused on personal injury work.

Bob Greive was one of twelve senators to oppose the resolution.

Bob Greive was focused on affordable housing and supported laws to limit air pollution.

In 1956, Greive was chosen by the Democratic caucus to replace Albert D Rosellini as the Senate majority leader, a position that he would hold for the next 12 years.

Bob Greive used this position to fundraise for various other politicians by soliciting donations from lobbyists and adding them to what was called the "Greive Fund".

Bob Greive was involved in three rounds of restricting, between 1956 and 1957,1962 and 1964 and 1971 and 1974, when he used the process to protect his allies.

Martin Durkan claimed that Bob Greive redistricted him away from his district on each occasion.

Bob Greive was removed as majority leader on November 2,1972, being replaced with August Mardesich, following conflict over his approach to redistricting.

Bob Greive subsequently alleged that Mardesich had accepted a $20,000 bribe and although his fellow legislator was ultimately acquitted, he had to resign his position as majority leader.

Two years later, Bob Greive faced his own investigation following a complaint filed by his former aid, which alleged that Bob Greive had asked him to do private legal work and collect information on his political enemies while on the Senate payroll.

Bob Greive ran for a position on the King County Council for the 8th district in 1975, challenging Democratic incumbent Ed Heavey.

Bob Greive was focused on his district, working with Ron Sims to fill potholes, create bus stops and obtain funding for the West Seattle Bridge.

Bob Greive was re-elected twice with no challengers but in the 1987 Democratic primary, he lost to Greg Nickels.

Bob Greive died from complications arising from Parkinson's disease on July 1,2004, in West Seattle.