Robert Hutchison Finch (October 9, 1925 - October 10, 1995) was a Republican politician from Southern California. Born in Tempe, Arizona, he was the son of Robert L. Finch, a member of the Arizona State House of Representatives.

Finch served in the Marine Corps in World War II. After the war, he served Congressman Poulson as an aide, and befriended a novice Washington politician named Richard Nixon. He returned to California to study law at the University of Southern California. He served again as a Marine during the Korean War. He then practiced law for a few years before returning to Washington as Vice President Nixon's aide. He later managed Nixon's unsuccessful 1960 presidential campaign against John F. Kennedy.

In 1967, Finch was elected as California's Lieutenant Governor under Ronald Reagan. He resigned in 1969 to become President Nixon's Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from 1969 to 1970. After retiring from the post, Finch wrote and taught at the University of Southern California.

Preceded by: Wilbur J. Cohen

United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare

Succeeded by: Elliot Richardson