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Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni, 1988 September 19-1989 July 28
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Belloni, Robert C. (Robert Clinton), 1919-1999
- Title
- Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni
- Dates
- 1988 September 19-1989 July 28 (inclusive)1988-09-191989-07-28
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (15 audiocassettes (11 hr., 11 min., 24 sec.) + transcript (164 pages) + 8 photographs)
- Collection Number
- SR 1208
- Summary
- Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni conducted by Jim Strassmaier from September 19, 1988, to July 28, 1989, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. Belloni 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
Robert Clinton Belloni was born in Riverton, Oregon, in 1919. He attended the University of Oregon, graduating in 1941. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served as a medical officer in the Pacific Theater. While in the Army, he met Doris Adams, and they were married in 1946. They later had two children. After World War II, Belloni returned to Oregon in 1946 and took a job in McMinnville as an administrator for a small hospital. He then studied law at the University of Oregon, graduating in 1951. He worked as a lawyer in Coos County, served as chair of the Democratic Central Committee of Coos County, and was mayor of Myrtle Point. He was appointed to the Circuit Court of Southern Oregon by Governor Robert Holmes, and served from 1957 to 1967. He then served as a U.S. District Court judge in Portland, Oregon, from 1967 until 1984, when he took senior status. He presided over Sohappy v. Smith, which was a landmark case for Native American fishing rights. He served as chief judge of the court from 1971 to 1976. He and Doris divorced in 1984. In 1989, Belloni and Faye Johnson Dement were married. He remained a senior judge until his death in 1999.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni was conducted by Jim Strassmaier from September 19, 1988, to July 28, 1989. In this interview, Belloni discusses his family background and early life in Coos County, Oregon, including his education. He talks about studying pre-med at the University of Oregon and his service as a U.S. Army medical officer in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He describes landing in Japan just as it surrendered. He talks about returning to civilian life and deciding to go to law school, attending the University of Oregon, and his friendship with Ted Goodwin. He discusses his early law career in Coos County. He also talks about his early political career, holding the offices of chair of the Democratic Central Committee for Coos County and mayor of Myrtle Point. He also talks about his relationship with Wayne Morse. He discusses serving as a Circuit Court judge in Southern Oregon from 1957 to 1967, particularly presiding over juvenile cases. He then discusses serving on the U.S. District Court of Oregon from 1967 to the time of the interview, including the politics of his appointment. He discusses his fellow District Court judges, including Gus Solomon, John Kilkenney, and Otto Skopil. He also talks about the variety of cases that came before him, including on land fraud, asbestos, consumer protections, and several cases involving Native American rights. He discusses his law clerks, judicial process, and ethics. Belloni discusses serving as chief judge on the District Court from 1971 to 1976, and the duties and responsibilities of that position, including his work in establishing the magistrate system and the sentencing council. He closes the interview by discussing changes in the court systems over the 20th century, his experience as a senior judge, and his personal life.
In addition to the audio recordings of the interview, this collection includes several photographs of Belloni and a signed photograph of Robert D. Holmes.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Audio and four photographs available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni, by Jim Strassmaier, SR 1208, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society. Use of the interview is allowed according to the following statement: 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 |
---|---|---|
Cassette | ||
1-2 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1988 September 19 |
3 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1988 September 28 |
4 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1988 September 28-1988 November 7 |
5 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1988 November 8 |
6-7 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1988 December 21 |
8 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1989 January 9 |
9-11 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1989 March 27 |
12-13 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1989 May 31 |
14 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1989 July 5 |
15 | Oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1989 July 24 |
Folder | ||
SR1208 | Transcript of oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni | 1988 September 1-1989 July 24 |
SR1208 | Photographs of Robert C. Belloni | circa 1986-1989 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Judges--Oregon
- Justice, Administration of--Oregon
- Lawyers--Oregon--Coos County
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
Personal Names
- Belloni, Robert C. (Robert Clinton), 1919-1999
- Solomon, Gus J. (Gus Jerome), 1906-1987
Corporate Names
- Democratic Party (Or.)
- United States. District Court (Oregon)
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Strassmaier, James (interviewer)