Van Bebber served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1973 to 1975 and was a Republican.

On September 13, 1989, he was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to a seat on that court vacated by Richard Dean Rogers.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 21, 1989, and received his commission on December 8, 1989.

He served as chief judge from 1995 to 2000, and assumed senior status on December 31, 2000.

He continued to serve in senior status until his death, in Prairie Village, Kansas.