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Oral history interview with Owen Panner, 2005 December 19
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Panner, Owen Murphy, 1924-
- Title
- Oral history interview with Owen Panner
- Dates
- 2005 December 192005-12-192005-12-19
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (1 videocassette (42 min., 59 sec.) + transcript (19 pages)) : Mini-DV
- Collection Number
- SR 11152
- Summary
- Oral history interview with Owen Panner conducted by Michael O'Rourke on December 19, 2005, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. Panner was a judge on the U.S. District Court of Oregon.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Owen Murphy Panner was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1924. He grew up in Oklahoma during the Depression. He attended the University of Oklahoma, but in 1943, before graduating, he joined the U.S. Army, serving until 1946. He met his first wife, Agnes Gilbert, while stationed in Los Angeles, California. After serving, he returned to the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated from its school of law in 1949. He moved to Bend, Oregon, where he practiced law from 1950 to 1980, was vice president of the Oregon State Bar from 1961 to 1963, and was on the Judicial Reform Commission of Oregon from 1971 to 1974. During his years as an attorney, he represented the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. In 1979 he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, where he served from 1980 to 2018. He was chief justice from 1984 to 1990, and took senior status in 1992. During his time on the court, he met his second wife, Nancy Hanson, while horse riding in Hillsboro. He died in 2018.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This interview with Owen Panner was conducted by Michael O'Rourke in Portland, Oregon, on December 19, 2005. In the interview, Panner discusses mandatory sentencing and the effect of politics on the judiciary. He also talks about his plan to move to the District Court in Medford, Oregon. In addition, he discusses the structure and procedures of the District Court; technology in the courts; his involvement with the U.S. District Court Historical Society; and life on his Medford ranch.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Interview and transcript viewable online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with Owen Panner, by Michael O'Rourke, SR 11152, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
Joint copyright is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society. In Copyright – Educational Use Permitted: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
videocassette | ||
1 | Oral history interview with Owen Panner | 2005 December 19 |
Folder | ||
SR11152 | Transcript of oral history interview with Owen Panner | 2005 December 19 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Judges--Oregon
- Justice, Administration of--Oregon
Personal Names
- Panner, Owen Murphy, 1924-
Corporate Names
- United States District Court of Oregon Historical Society
- United States. District Court (Oregon)
Geographical Names
- Oregon--Politics and government--21st century
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- O'Rourke, Michael (Filmmaker) (interviewer)