He later received his law degree from the University of Missouri, and passed the bar exam even before graduating.

Prior to entering politics, Volkmer operated a private law practice in Hannibal, Missouri.

He served on the House Agriculture Committee and helped shape five major farm bills.

Volkmer also supported the Panama Canal Treaty Enabling Legislation in 1978, and the modernization of the United States Bankruptcy laws in 1978.

FOPA remains one of the most far-reaching laws ever enacted by Congress to safeguard constitutional rights.

[3] In 1992, however, he was nearly defeated by Republican Rick Hardy, a political science professor at MU, surviving by only 5,800 votes.

[4] He faced an equally close race in 1994, when Republican assistant attorney general Kenny Hulshof held him to 50.4 percent of the vote.

"[2] Volkmer resided in Hannibal, Missouri until his death at age 80 from pneumonia on April 16, 2011.