Neuberger, Richard L. (Richard Lewis), 1912-1960

NEUBERGER, Richard Lewis, (Husband of Maurine B. Neuberger), a Senator from Oregon; born in Multnomah County, near Portland, Oreg., December 26, 1912; attended the public schools of Portland, Oreg.; attended the University of Oregon at Eugene in 1935; author and reporter; correspondent for the New York Times 1939-1954; member, State house of representatives 1941-1942; during the Second World War was commissioned a lieutenant and later a captain in the United States Army 1942-1945; member, State senate 1949-1954; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from January 3, 1955, until his death in Portland, Oreg., March 9, 1960; interment in Beth Israel Cemetery.

<p>Richard Lewis Neuberger (December 26, 1912 – March 9, 1960) was an American journalist, author, and politician during the middle of the 20th century. A native of Oregon, he wrote for The New York Times before and after a stint in the U.S. Army during World War II. A Democrat, he entered politics in his home state by winning a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives and later was elected to the United States Senate. His widow, Maurine Brown Neuberger, won his Senate seat after his death.</p>

<p>Neuberger was born on December 26, 1912, in the rural part of Multnomah County, Oregon, the son of Ruth (Lewis) and Isaac Neuberger, restaurant owners. His grandparents were all German Jewish immigrants. Neuberger grew up in nearby Portland. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1935, and served as editor of the student newspaper, the Oregon Daily Emerald. Neuberger began writing for The New York Times as a college senior, and became the newspaper's Northwest correspondent in 1939. He also began writing books during these years.</p>

<p>In 1940, Neuberger was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. His political career was interrupted by World War II, during which Neuberger served in the U.S. Army as an officer from 1942 to 1945. Back in civilian life, Neuberger continued to work for the Times and write books, and was elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1948, after losing in 1946. Neuberger and State Senator and future Governor Robert Holmes were two of the leading liberals in the Oregon legislature at a time of Republican dominance. During the 1949 legislative session, Democrats succeeded in forcing a vote in favor of one of the nation's first fair employment practices laws, though watered down by the Republican majority.</p>