Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Skip Navigation Links
  • LRL Home
    • >
  • Legislators Past & Present
    • >
  • Member Record
    • Legislators Past & Present Home

    Dettmer, Bob

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 2007-2012 (District 52A); House 2013-2022 (District 39A)

    Party when first elected:  Republican

    Counties Served:  Anoka, Chisago, Washington

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 3/1/1951
    Birth Place: Faribault, Minnesota
    Birth County: Rice
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Baptist
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Forest Lake
    Occupation (when first elected): Soldier/Retired Educator, Teacher and Coach (Wrestling, Track, and Soccer), Forest Lake High School

    EDUCATION

    Faribault High School; Secondary;
    Bemidji State University; B.S.; Health and Physical Education, May 1973
    St. Thomas University; M.A.; Education Curriculum and Instruction

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Military: United States Army Reserves (Kuwait, November 2001-2003 and Iraq; Chief Warrant Officer, Electronic Intelligence Specialist, Army Master Fitness Trainer); 1986 to 2011

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Colleen (married in 1972)
    Children: Three children: Robb and Travis (sons, twins); Krystle (daughter)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He was born and raised on a farm.

    Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota, the Directory, 2007-2008.

    In 2004, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame awarded him a Lifetime Service to Wrestling (Minnesota Chapter) award.

    He announced he would not seek reelection in 2022.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 5844

    SESSIONS SERVED

    92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/3/2020
    Residence: Forest Lake
    Term of Office: 1/5/2021 to 1/2/2023
    Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
    Occupation: Educator/retired; Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army Reserve (retired)
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Minutes
    • Taxes Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/6/2018
    Residence: Forest Lake
    Term of Office: 1/8/2019 to 1/4/2021
    Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
    Occupation: Educator/Retired; Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army Reserve (retired)
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Labor Minutes
    • Ways & Means: Education Finance Division Minutes
    • Ways & Means: Veterans and Military Affairs Finance & Policy Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/8/2016
    Residence: Forest Lake
    Term of Office: 1/3/2017 to 1/7/2019
    Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
    Occupation: Educator/Retired; Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army Reserve (retired)
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    term photo
    Click to view

    89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/4/2014
    Residence: Forest Lake
    Term of Office: 1/6/2015 to 1/2/2017
    Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
    Occupation: Educator/Retired; Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army Reserve (retired)
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Education Finance Minutes
    • State Government Finance Minutes
    • State Government Finance: Veterans Affairs Division (Chair) Minutes
    • Ways and Means Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/6/2012
    Residence: Forest Lake
    Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/5/2015
    Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
    Occupation: Educator/Retired
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:  2013 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2013 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Capital Investment Minutes
    • State Government Finance and Veterans Affairs Minutes
    • Ways and Means Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 52A
    Elected: 11/2/2010
    Residence: Forest Lake
    Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
    Counties Represented: Anoka, Washington
    Occupation: Educator/Retired
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Higher Education Policy and Finance Minutes
    • State Government Finance: Veterans Services Division Minutes
    • Taxes: Property and Local Tax Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 52A
    Elected: 11/4/2008
    Residence: Forest Lake
    Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
    Counties Represented: Anoka, Washington
    Occupation: Educator
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division Minutes
    • Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division Minutes
    • Finance: K-12 Education Finance Division Minutes
    • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
    • Taxes: Property and Local Sales Tax Division Minutes
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Whip
    term photo
    Click to view

    85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 52A
    Elected: 11/7/2006
    Residence: Forest Lake
    Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
    Counties Represented: Anoka, Washington
    Occupation: Soldier/Retired Educator, Teacher and Coach (Wrestling, Track, and Soccer), Forest Lake High School
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division Minutes
    • E-12 Education Minutes
    • Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division Minutes
    • Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: K-12 Finance Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Session Interviews
    Session Interview (Video) 2014 House Interview

    Session Interview (Video) 2010 House Interview

    Session Interview (Video) 2007 House Interview


    Articles & Books About
    Green, Craig. "Serving in a New Role, Former Coach Wants to Continue Helping Community." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 19, 2007, p. 18.



    The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

    Legislators Past & Present Home