Marcus Halbrook, the former director of the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research, died Dec. 17.

• Position: People & Politics - Brief Article - Obituary

Marcus Halbrook, the former director of the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research, died Dec. 17. He was 77. Halbrook was one of a generation of legislative staff directors who helped define the role, responsibilities and ethic of the nonpartisan staff professional. Highly respected for his dedication to the legislative institution, he began working at the bureau in 1949, was named its director in 1953 and served in that position for 34 years. He left an indelible mark on the Arkansas Legislature and the legislative reform movement. Halbrook served as president of...