Dennis Hastert, one of Washington's most powerful politicians during eight years as House speaker from 1999 to 2007, has died. He was 84-year-old. Hastert was the longest-serving Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives, a position that placed him second in the line of succession to the presidency. His political legacy was forever fouled by allegations that he molested high school athletes when he was a wrestling coach. Survivors include his wife, Jean, and two adult sons.
Born in Aurora, Illinois, Hastert earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Wheaton College in 1964 and a master’s in education from Northern Illinois University in 1967. Hastert lived his entire life in Chicago's suburbs, primarily in the Yorkville area. While growing up, he helped his father with the family feed business.
