Bob Wethern Papers, 1950-2008

Bob Wethern (1921-2008) was born in Walla Walla, Washington to Milton and Rita Wethern. After attending schools in Washington and Minnesota, he entered the University of Idaho, where he majored in journalism. While a student, he became the sports editor of the Daily Idahonian.

Beginning in 1946, Wethern worked as a reporter and photographer at the Bremerton Sun, leaving in 1957 to take a position at the National Association of Manufacturers in Portland, Oregon, where he remained until his retirement in 1979.

Wethern's interest in sports and outdoor writing extended beyond his work as a journalist, and continued throughout his life. He edited a series of angling histories, the Rivers of Oregon, and played an important role in preparing the work of other writers for publication, including Lee Richardson and Robert H. Smith.

He was a charter member of the Flyfishers Club of Oregon, and also belonged to the Tau Epsilon fraternity, the Oregon Society of Association Executives, Toastmasters International, the Tacoma Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Federation of Fly Fishermen.