Richard L. Berkley

Richard L. Berkley (born Richard L. Berkowitz; June 29, 1931) is an American politician who served as the 50th mayor of Kansas City, Missouri from 1979 to 1991.

Richard L Berkley
50th Mayor of Kansas City
In office May 1979 – May 1991
Preceded by	Charles Wheeler
Succeeded by	Emanuel Cleaver
45th President of the United States Conference of Mayors
In office 1987–1988
Preceded by	Joseph Riley Jr.
Succeeded by	Arthur Holland
Personal details
Born	Richard L. Berkowitz (1931-06-29) June 29, 1931 Kansas City, Missouri, US
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Sandy Berkley
Children	Jon Berkley, Elizabeth Berkley
Residence(s)	Kansas City, Missouri, US
Alma mater	Harvard University (AB, MBA)

Berkley received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1957. His family owns the Kansas City‐based "Tension Corporation" (before 2011 "Tension Envelope Corporation"), and Berkley served as treasurer in addition to serving on the company's board of directors.

Although Kansas City mayors do not officially have political affiliations, Mayor Berkley was the first Republican mayor of the city since Albert I. Beach left office in 1930, and its most recent one as of 2023. He was also the city's first Jewish mayor[1] and served longer than any other mayor in Kansas City history. Prior to taking office as mayor, he served on the city council from 1969 to 1979, and was mayor pro tem from 1971 to 1979.

During his term as mayor he led the calls for a federal investigation into the Hyatt Regency walkway collapse in 1981. More than 700 capital improvement projects occurred during his term, including a major expansion of Bartle Hall Convention Center and revitalization of the Quality Hill neighborhood.

The Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park on Front Street along the Missouri River near the Christopher "Kit" Bond Bridge (I-35) is named for him.