Robert Powers Struckman was born in Minneaplis, Minnesota, on August 28, 1906. In 1911, he moved with his family to Billings, Montana. In 1913, his family move to a ranch near Big Timber where he completed high school. He received a B.A. in Journalism in 1933 and an M.A. in 1947 from the University of Montana (then known as Montana State University). After completing his B.A., he traveled extensively throughout the United States, working at a variety of jobs and establishing his reputation as a freelance writer. He married Helen Bonde in 1935 and they had four children: Carol Ellen (born 1939), Thomas Tod (1943-1997), Daniel Robert (born 1949), Steven Carl (born 1951, died shortly after birth). Helen was born October 22, 1912. After his marriage, he taught English and journalism at Great Falls High School and taught English at White Sulphur Springs, Montana. He continued to write, but at a decreased pace. He wrote for the
He wrote over eighty short stories and two novels; not all were published. He also wrote reviews and articles for many newspapers and popular magazines, including
In 1978, while a student at the University of Montana, Struckman's son Daniel Robert Struckman wrote a biography of his father for his Journalism senior seminar.
This collection contains the personal and professional papers of Robert Struckman, materials his wife collected after his death, and a biography that his son, Daniel Struckman, wrote about him. It includes personal materials, correspondence, writings, clippings, and materials gathered by his wife and son. Included in the correspondence are numerous exchanges with a New York artist, George S. Snyder, who collected Struckman's letters and returned them after Robert's death. Snyder was a student at MSU with Struckman. The writings include manuscripts of his short stories and a detailed record of where they were sent, editorial comments received, and whether they were published. The biography of Struckman includes a complete bibliography of his works.
The collection is arranged in six series:
Series I: Personal, 0.25 linear feet, 1925-1953
Series II: Correspondence, 0.25 linear feet, 1931-1953
Series III: Writings, 0.75 linear feet, 1930-1933
Series IV: Clippings, 0.25 linear feet, 1931-1937
Series V: Helen Struckman, 2 folders and oversize, 1934-1957
Series VI: Daniel R. Struckman, 3 folders, 1978
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.
[Name of document or photograph number], Struckman Family Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
The papers remained in the possession of the Struckman family until donation to the Archives. Struckman's son, Daniel, used the papers to write a biography of his father, and is largely responsible for the arrangement of the papers.
Gift of Daniel Struckman, 1984.
The original processor arrranged the collection, separated photographs to the Archives photograph collection, and produced a finding aid that named the collection the Robert Tod Struckman Manuscripts. In 2004, the collection was arranged to accurately reflect the presence of Helen's and Daniel's materials, and a new finding aid was produced and encoded.
During original processing, one book,
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
This series contains personal and biographical materials. These include a diary from Struckman's college days with some brief entries, his college diplomas, membership cards, metal signature stamps, and artwork and humor that he collected or was given (some of this may have originally been attached to correspondence).
This series contains personal and professional correspondence. Professional correspondence is largely with editors as Struckman worked to publish his short stories. Other professional correspondence is with colleagues at the University of Montana. Personal correspondence is largely with his longtime friend George S. Snyder, and includes Struckman's letters to and from Snyder. Other letters are from Harry W. Fritz during Fritz's years at Dartmouth College.
This series contains manuscripts for Struckman's short stories and articles. The manuscript record at the beginning of the series provides a detailed record of their length, where they were sent, editorial reaction, and whether they were published. The manuscripts are undated.
This series contains magazines in which Struckman's short stories appeared. Most are
This series contains material collected by Helen B. Struckman during Mr. Struckman's life and after his death. It includes condolence and other correspondence, including some from George Snyder, and music programs, her 1953 Missoula County teaching certificate, and the Struckman's wedding announcement.
This series contains materials related to Daniel Struckman's 1978 biography of Robert Struckman. He compiled not only the biography, but transcribed the 1928 diary and produced a complete bibliography of his father's work.