Richard Mulder

Richard Mulder
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 21B district
In office
January 3, 1995 – January 6, 2003
Preceded byAndy Steensma
Succeeded byBrad Finstad
Personal details
Born(1938-05-08)May 8, 1938
Rock Valley, Iowa, U.S.
DiedFebruary 14, 2022(2022-02-14) (aged 83)
Ivanhoe, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Ruth VanBuren
​
(m. 1964)​
Children4
EducationUniversity of South Dakota (BPharm)
South Dakota State University (BM)
University of Iowa (MD)

Richard Dean Mulder (May 8, 1938 – February 14, 2022) was an American politician and family physician in the state of Minnesota.[1] He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1995 until 2002.[1]

In 2004, he served as a Minnesota state delegate at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York.[2]

Early life and education

Mulder was born and raised in Rock Valley, Iowa, along with four siblings.[3] He graduated from Rock Valley Public High School in 1956, and then attended South Dakota State University, graduating with a Bachelor's in Pharmacy in 1960.[3] He later received a Bachelor's in Medicine from University of South Dakota in 1966, and later graduated with a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Iowa in 1969.[3]

Career

Mulder ran unsuccessfully as an Independent Republican candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1992.[4] Running again with the party in 1994, Mulder won the District 21B election over Democratic incumbent Andy Steensma, 7,198 votes to 6,261.[5]

In 1996, Mulder defended a state law supporting the practice of "drive-through" infant deliveries, saying "I made sure my wife stayed in the hospital five days, but then she told me it was a waste of money... I did some research and found that many mothers couldn't accord the longer stay and in most cases, it just wasn't necessary."[6]

In 1998, he was given a 100% rating by Gun Owners of America.[7]

Death

Mulder died at his home in Ivanhoe, Minnesota, on February 14, 2022, at the age of 83.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Mulder, Richard - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.leg.state.mn.us.
  2. ^ "Dr. Mulder is delegate at National Republican Convention". Pipestone County Star. 2004-09-08. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  3. ^ a b c "Ivanhoe Times July 30 Page 1". ivn.stparchive.com. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  4. ^ "Mulder, Richard - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  5. ^ "1994 Minnesota State Election Results" (PDF). Minnesota State Legislature. November 8, 1994. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "Amy Klobuchar was kicked out of the hospital 24 hours after giving birth. Her outrage fueled her political rise". Washington Post. January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  7. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  8. ^ "Dr. Richard D. "Doc" Mulder Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information". www.housemanfuneralhome.com. Retrieved 2022-03-09.