Oral history interview with David R. Williams, 1991 December 16-1992 January 16

Overview of the Collection

Interviewee
Williams, David R. (David Rhys), 1923-2004
Title
Oral history interview with David R. Williams
Dates
1991 December 16-1992 January 16 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.1 cubic feet, (2 audiocassettes (1 hr., 19 min., 38 sec.) + transcript (46 pages))
Collection Number
SR 1206
Summary
Oral history interview with David R. Williams conducted by Elizabeth Reichow from December 16, 1991, to January 16, 1992, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. Williams was an attorney in Portland, 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

David Rhys Williams was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1923. He attended Reed College after graduating from high school at age 16. After one year, he transferred to Stanford University, but suspended his studies when he was drafted. He served in the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division in Italy during World War II, from 1944 to 1945. After his discharge, he completed his degree at Stanford and graduated in 1946. He then attended the University of Oregon Law School, earning his law degree around 1949. In 1945, he met Donna Rockwell, and they married in 1948; they later had two children. Williams became an attorney with Williams, Fredrickson, Stark & Weisensee in Portland. He died in 2004.

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 David R. Williams was conducted by Elizabeth Reichow from December 16, 1991, to January 16, 1992. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on December 16, 1991, Williams discusses his family background and early life in the Laurelhurst neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, including his educational background and work experiences as a carpenter. He talks about participating in sports in high school and at Reed College. He also speaks about his experiences serving in the U.S. Army in Italy during World War II. He speaks about his marriage to Donna Rockwell and talks about his family.

In the second interview session, conducted on January 16, 1992, Williams speaks at length about his childhood during the Depression, and shares his memories of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's visit to Portland. He speaks about Congressman Homer D. Angell; talks about his involvement with a Welsh singing group called "The Bohemians"; and discusses climbing Mount Hood and his interest in skiing. He then discusses his experience at Reed College, including the pro-German and pro-communist sentiment that was prevalent on campus in the lead-up to World War II. He also talks about the political situation in Russia in 1992. He revisits the topic of his service in the U.S. Army during World War II and his marriage to Donna Rockwell. He also talks about studying law at the University of Oregon. He closes the interview by describing the careers of his brothers.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Audio and transcript available online in OHS Digital Collections.

Preferred Citation

Oral history interview with David R. Williams, by Elizabeth Reichow, SR 1206, 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 is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright – Educational Use Permitted, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Depressions--1929--United States
  • Lawyers--Oregon--Portland
  • Skis and skiing
  • World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American

Personal Names

  • Williams, David R. (David Rhys), 1923-2004

Corporate Names

  • Reed College (Portland, Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • interviews
  • oral histories (literary works)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Reichow, Elizabeth M. (Elizabeth Marie), 1916-2007 (interviewer)