Harry Robbins ("Bob") Haldeman (October 27, 1926 - November 12, 1993) was an American politician best known as a White House aide, and for his role in the Watergate scandal, for which he was convicted and imprisoned.

Haldeman was born in Los Angeles, California. He worked as an advertising executive.

He became President Richard M. Nixon's White House Chief of Staff in 1969, and was soon considered to be the second most powerful person in the United States. Haldeman had a reputation for sternness in his role as Nixon's "gatekeeper", and once described being the president's "son-of-a-bitch" as part of his job.

He was both good friends with, and a close accomplice of, fellow White House staffer and presidential adviser on domestic affairs, John Ehrlichman. Together, they were known as "the Germans", and were two of Nixon's most loyal and trusted aides during his presidency.

He was a key figure in the Watergate scandal, and the unexplained 18 &frac12 minute gap in Nixon's Oval Office recordings concealed a discussion that included the president and Haldeman.

The scandal forced Haldeman to resign on April 30, 1973. In 1975, he was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice on New Year's Day, and sentenced February 21 to 18 months in prison.

In 1978, he published "The Ends of Power ," in which he took responsibility for fostering the atmosphere in which Watergate flourished.

Haldeman died of abdominal cancer on November 12, 1993 at his home in Santa Barbara, California. His burial site has never been revealed.

Preceded by: Wilton Persons

White House Chief of Staff

Succeeded by: Alexander Haig

References

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa081301a.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/watergate/haldeman.html