Bob Wakefield papers, 1911-2006

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Wakefield, Bob
Title
Bob Wakefield papers
Dates
1911-2006 (inclusive)
Quantity
cubic ft. (8 boxes)
Collection Number
11191
Summary
The Bob Wakefield Papers consist of manuscripts, subject files, photo files, and audio-visual materials that span Bob Wakefield's career as a broadcast journalist, a journalism professor, and as an author.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Robert "Bob" Wakefield was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, in 1939. After attending Sheridan College, Wakefield joined the U.S. Army where he served in Europe. Upon returning to Wyoming he became a radio announcer for KROE in Sheridan. At KROE he hosted the popular "KROE Road Show." He continued his education and graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. After graduating he went to Casper where he became a newsman and photographer for KTWO television. He went on to earn both his master's (1971) and doctoral degrees (1976) from the University of Colorado at Boulder in the areas of journalism and communications. In 1972, he joined the faculty at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, where he was a professor of journalism. He also taught at numerous Texas universities including Texas Woman's University, Odessa College, Del Mar College, South Texas Community College, and University of Texas - Pan American. Wakefield was the author of "Trail of the Jackasses" (1968), "Schwiering and the West" (1973), and "Milward L. Simpson: the Fiery Petrel" (2005). In addition to those, he was the author and creator of the "The 21-Day Challenge" (1999), a program and guide designed to help people take control of their lives.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Bob Wakefield Papers consist of subject files, photo files, and audio-visual materials that Bob Wakefield gathered or created to write three non-fiction books. "Trail of the Jackasses" (1968) is about Jean DeHaven and his mule wagon trip across the United States. "Schwiering and the West" (1973) is about noted Wyoming artist Conrad Schwiering, who lived in Jackson and spent much of his time painting scenes of the Teton Range. "Milward L. Simpson: the Fiery Petrel" (2005) is a biography of Milward Simpson who was Wyoming's governor in the 1950s and a U.S. senator in the 1960s. Also contained in the collection are the personal papers of Bob Wakefield. These files mostly relate to his career as a journalism professor at several universities, and as a broadcast journalist. Several biographical and photo files are included, and there are numerous unpublished short stories of his as well as unpublished motion-picture documentaries.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Bob Wakefield Papers, 1911-2006, Collection Number 11191, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Bob Wakefield at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

The Bob Wakefield Papers were donated to the American Heritage Center by Bob Wakefield in 1978 and 2006.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by John Richard Waggener, August 2006.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. Subject Files for BooksReturn to Top

This series contains subject files of materials that Bob Wakefield gathered or created to write three books, "Milward L. Simpson: The Fiery Petrel," "Schwiering and the West," and "Trail of the Jackasses."

Container(s) Description Dates
Subseries I. Milward Simpson
"Milward Simpson: The Fiery Petrel" is a biography of Milward Simpson, a pioneer Wyoming resident who was governor in the 1950s and senator in the 1960s. In many instances, the subject files for this book contain original material from Milward Simpson. Material relates to his time as board of trustee for the University of Wyoming, his governorship, his time as senator, and personal files. Also included are family files and family photographs.
Box Folder
1 1
Burnett, Finn
no date
1 2
Godfrey, Arthur (includes One-Shot Antelope Hunt)
1955-1958
1 3
Armed Forces and Voting
1955
1 4
Governor - Campaign
1954
1 5
Governor - Campaign (includes highway issues)
1958
1 6
Governor - Correspondence
1955-1957
1 7
Governor - Death Penalty
1957
1 8
Governor - Gambling
1956-1957
1 9
Governor - Gambling (J. Norman Stone controversy) (Includes the publication "Stone's Shooting Star")
1956
1 10
Governor - Highways
1956-1958
1 11
Governor - Message to 1955 Legislature
1955
1 12
Governor - Miscellaneous
1955-1957
1 13-14
Governor - Morris, Esther memorial statue
1954-1955
1 15
Governor, Newspaper Clippings
1955-1958
1 16
Governor - Penitentiary Riot
1955
1 17
Governor - Terry, William, case at University of Wyoming
1956
1 18
Governor - University of Wyoming issues
1955-1956
1 19
Henderson, Harry
1957
1 20
Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park Issues and History
1930-1944
1 21
Kooi, Peter (includes Kooi family including Lorna Kooi Simpson)
1920-1952
1 22-23
Photographs (includes family and friends)
1914-1980
1 24
Pre 1954 Activities
1934-1951
2 1
Senator - Campaign Material
1962-1966
2 2
Senator - Congressional Records
1965-1966
2 3
Senator - Newspaper Clippings (related to campaign)
1962
2 4
Simpson, Al
1954-2000
2 5
Simpson, Lorna Kooi
1931-1995
2 6
Simpson, Milward, Biographical Material (includes family members)
1911-1993
2 7
Simpson, Milward, Tributes
1966-1993
2 8
Simpson, Pete
1975-2000
2 9
Simpson, William, (Includes Murder Case)
1923-1925
2 10-11
Speeches
1930-1965
2 12-13
University of Wyoming - Board of Trustees
1939-1948
2 14
University of Wyoming - Coe, William Robertson
1954-1955
2 15
University of Wyoming - Newspaper Clippings
1938-1948
2 16-17
University of Wyoming - Textbook Investigation
1947-1948
2 18
Wakefield Material - Copy of Simpson book and information about the publishing of the book)
2005-2006
3 1
Wakefield Material - Correspondence
1965-1980
3 2
Wakefield Material - Draft (original draft titled "Call Me Simp")
circa 1970
3 3
Wakefield Material - Miscellaneous
1977-2004
Box
3 4-17
Wakefield Material - Notes, Drafts, and Material for writing Simpson book (Includes original Simpson material)
circa 1960s-1990s
Subseries II. Schwiering and the West
" Schwiering and the West" is the biography of Conrad Schwiering. Schwiering was a famous Western artist who focused on landscapes, most notably Wyoming's Teton Range. Much of Schwiering's work was done in the 1950s and 1960s. Included are subject files that contain information about Schwiering and about the publishing of the book.
Box Folder
3 18
Book (copy of the book)
1973
3 19
Correspondence and Documents
1969-1974
3 20-21
Draft Copies of the Book
1969-1970
4 1-3
Draft Copies of the Book
1970-1973
4 4
Newspaper Clippings
1973-1998
4 5
Photographic Slides
1973
4 6
Photographs
1973
Subseries III. Trail of the Jackasses (Jean DeHaven's Mule Train)
"Trail of the Jackasses" is an account of Mr. Jean DeHaven's 5000-mile mule wagon trip he led from coast to coast in 1967. Wakefield followed along with Jean DeHaven to document the expedition. The files pertain to DeHaven, the wagon trip, and to the publishing of the book.
Box Folder
4 7
Book (copies of the book)
1968
4 8
Correspondence and Documents
1967-1973
4 9
Draft Copy of the Book
1968
4 10
Newspaper Clippings
1967-1969

Series II. Personal PapersReturn to Top

This series contains the personal papers of Bob Wakefield. Included are files that relate to his academic career as a journalism and communications professor, his acting career, and his career as a writer, broadcaster, and journalist. Also included is biographical material and copies of some of his published and unpublished works.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
4 11-12
Academics
1967-1997
4 13
Acting
1985-1994
5 1
Articles Written by Wakefield
1964-1993
5 2
Musical Productions
1956-2005
5 3
Personal and Biographical Material
1958-1999
5 4
Photographs
1945-2005
5 5
Productions and Producing
1972-1996
5 6
Writings -"The Adventures of Clyde of the Jungle"
undated
5 7
Writings - "Everything You Always Wanted to know about Credit Union Journalism"
undated
5 8
Writings - "Hard Running: Bud Edelen and the Marathon"
1983
5 9
Writings - "The House of Ghiardelli"
1975
5 10
Writings - "The House of 69 Gables" (A Story about the Sheridan Inn, Buffalo Bill, and Wyoming and the West)
undated
5 11
Writings - "Jose Bernardo Gutierrez deLara, 1774-1841" (a story about the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition of 1812)
undated
5 12
Writings - "Journals of Aunt Dess and Uncle Dave on the Farm, Johnstown, Colorado, 1942-1944"
1984
5 13
Writings - Miscellaneous (includes Sheridan College campus newspaper)
1961-1985
5 14
Writings - "Morning Man"
1976
5 15
Writings -"The Rescue of Jessica McClure"
1997
5 16
Writings - "Seasons of War"
1994
5 17
Writings - "The 21-Day Challenge" (a self-help program and guide to help people create a more positive attitude) (published in 1999 in conjunction with the Attitude Police)
1999
5 18
University Dissertation (PhD, University of Colorado)
1976
5 19
University Thesis (MA, University of Colorado)
1971

Series III. Audio-Visual MaterialsReturn to Top

The audio-visual series contains records, audiocassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes, 3/4 inch videotape, and 16mm motion-picture film. The motion picture films are original productions produced by Wakefield. The audiotapes are original broadcast tapes produced by Wakefield. Finally, there is a series of records and publications done by the Columbia School of Broadcasting in 1970. This communications series was developed and produced in part by Wakefield. The series was put together as an educational tool to help train people to become effective broadcasters.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
6
Columbia School of Broadcasting Publications - 10 bound volumes; topics are Radio and Television Commercials, Radio and Television Writing, Radio and Television Announcing, and Radio and Television Copyrighting)
1970
7
Audiotapes - Course in Radio Announcing
Circa 1970s
7
Audiotapes - "Monitor" (KOCV Public Radio Program at Odessa College in Texas)
1985-1987
7
Audiotapes - "Project Aide" (Cooperative Education Program to assist teachers in the classroom)
Circa 1980s
7
Audiotapes - Ron Bailie School of Broadcast
Circa 1970s
7
Reel-to-Reel - Don Meighan and Tony Pepper interview
1972
7
Reel-to-Reel - "Schwiering and the West" (audio for documentary film, speech, and radio interviews)
1967-1973
7
Reel-to-Reel - "Trail of the Jackasses: Jean DeHaven's Mule Train" (audio for documentary film and radio interview)
1969
7
3/4 inch videotape - Channel 36 News Breaks (Odessa College)
1980s
7
16mm Motion Picture Film - "Capulin School - Eyes on Tomorrow" (Documentary about a rural school in southern Colorado)
1980
7
16mm Motion Picture Film - "Schwiering and the West" (Documentary about Conrad Schwiering)
1966
7
16mm Motion Picture Film - "Trail of the Jackasses" (Documentary about Jean DeHaven and his cross-country mule wagon trip)
1969
7
16mm Motion Picture Film - "Wyoming Boom" (a 1970s documentary produced by Wakefield about Wyoming during the energy boom - a made-for-television production that never aired)
Circa 1970s
8
Phonograph Records - Columbia School of Broadcasting Publications (11 records, topics are Radio and Television Commercials, Radio and Television Writing, Radio and Television Announcing, and Radio and Television Copyrighting)
1970
8
Phonograph Records - "Four Notes in Search of a Tune: A Musical Identification for Public Broadcasting"
1974
8
Phonograph Records - "Instant Production Music"
1977
8
Phonograph Records - "Musi-Que: Music for Shows and Movies"
1973
8
Phonograph Records - "Shorties", by National Public Radio
1979

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Authors - West (U.S.)
  • College teachers
  • Journalists - West (U.S.)
  • Landscape painters - Wyoming
  • Muleteers - United States
  • Wagon trains - United States

Personal Names

  • Dehaven, Jean, 1928-
  • Schwiering, Conrad, 1916-
  • Simpson, Milward L. (Milward Lee), 1897-1993

Geographical Names

  • Wyoming - History - 1890-1918
  • Wyoming - History - 1919-1945
  • Wyoming - History - 1946-
  • Wyoming - Politics and government

Form or Genre Terms

  • Audiotapes
  • Motion pictures
  • Photographs