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Robert G. Moch collection, 1932–2004

Overview of the Collection

Compiler
Moch, Robert G.
Title
Robert G. Moch collection
Dates
1932–2004 (inclusive)
Quantity
5.64 cubic feet (7 boxes and 1 oversize folder containing 966 photographs, 30 negatives, 1 USB flash drive, 5 videocasettes, and 15 16mm reels)
(5 hrs.) : silent, black-and-white ; VHS
5,500 feet : silent, black-and-white, color ; 16mm
Collection Number
6419
Summary
Artifacts, film, and photographs of the 1936 Varsity Husky Crew team, and rower Robert Moch's family and friends
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access to photographs or jerseys. No user access copy is available for 16mm film, VHS tapes, or flash drive. Users may be able to obtain a reproduction of the media for a fee. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Languages
English, French, German
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Biographical Note

Robert Gaston "Bob" Moch (June 20, 1914–January 18, 2005) was an American rower, coach, and lawyer who famously competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics. He was born and raised in Montesano, Washington by an American mother, Fleeta Belle, who was a homemaker, and a Swiss father, Gaston, who operated a jewelry store. In 1932, Robert Moch entered the University of Washington, keeping busy as a member of multiple sports and academic honor societies for engineering. He joined the University of Washington Crew team as a freshman coxswain, owing to his slight frame and height. By 1936, he was selected to compete at the Varsity level by head coach Al Ulbrickson, where he eventually went on to the 1936 Olympics and won gold as coxswain in the Men's eight event.

After graduating, Robert Moch coached alongside Ulbrickson for four years as his assistant, before moving on to Boston to coach crew at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1940 and to attend Harvard Law. After completing his degree, Robert Moch passed the bar exam in both Massachusetts and Washington, and moved back to his home state to practice law in the Seattle area, even defending clients in front of the Supreme Court during the course of his successful career. He remained an avid patron of crew his whole life, and supported many rowing clubs, teams, and programs.

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Historical Background

The 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin were one of two Olympic games held during Nazi Germany. The first place win of the University of Washington Varsity Husky Crew in the Men's eight event—over both the German and Italian teams—was seen by some as an ideological, socio-economic, and athletic mark of the inferiority of fascist governments, and the superiority of American-style liberal democracy. The 1936 Summer Olympics brought the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany to mainstream politics, where it became a contested political issue, and contributed in no small part to the events of World War Two.

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Content Description

Film and photographs showing the 1936 University of Washington Husky Crew team practicing for and competing at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, and Robert Moch's family and friends at social gatherings, reunions, and other festivities. Also includes three rowing jerseys from the 1936 Berlin Olympics: one United States jersey worn by Bob Moch and one jersey each from the English and German crews.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized into 2 accessions.

  • Accession No. 6419-001, Robert G. Moch photograph and film collection, 1932 -2004
  • Accession No. 6419-002, Robert G. Moch artifacts, 1936

Acquisition Information

Donor: Marilyn Moch, January 27, 2017 and George Pocock Rowing Foundation, June 2023.

Processing Note

Accession 001 processed by Liam Patrick Bryant; processing completed in April 2023.

Bibliography

Brown, Daniel James. 2014. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. New York, New York: Penguin Books.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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Subject Terms

  • University Archives/Faculty Papers (University of Washington) (University of Washington)
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
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