Bob Dettmer

Robert P. "Bob" Dettmer (born March 1, 1951) is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represented District 39A, located in the northeastern part of the Twin Cities metro area, which includes Chisago and Washington counties.

Early life, education, and career
Dettmer attended Bemidji State University, graduating with a B.S. degree in health and physical education in 1973. He also holds a M.A. in education curriculum and instruction from St. Thomas University. He subsequently became a teacher in Forest Lake at Forest Lake High School, where he taught physical education and coached wrestling until 2007.

Dettmer served in the United States Army Reserve retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) in the Military Intelligence branch. In November 2001, he began a two-year tour on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and later Operation Iraqi Freedom. Two of his sons also serve as officers in the U.S. Army.

Minnesota House of Representatives
Dettmer was elected in 2006 to the open seat vacated by Representative Ray Vandeveer, who ran for higher office that year. He served for eight terms, opting not to run for reelection in 2022. He focused on the issues of education, health care reform, economic growth, transportation, veterans and military affairs, and public safety.