Robert Moulton Gatke was born on January 31, 1896 in Ludington, Michigan. His educational career at Willamette University began when he entered Willamette Academy as a history student in 1914. After receiving his diploma from Willamette Academy in 1916, he subsequently enrolled at Willamette University with an interest in both history and theology. While an undergraduate, Gatke became involved with the Kimball College of Theology as a member of the Kimball Literary Society, simultaneously continuing his studies in history. During his sophomore year Gatke worked as a Kimball student body reporter and during his junior year served as secretary and treasurer, Kimball Literary Society critic, and vice president of the Kimball Literary Society. As a senior he continued to serve as vice president and graduated from Willamette in 1919 with an A.B. Upon graduation, Gatke was selected to be permanent president of his class.
Gatke enrolled in the Master of Arts program at Willamette and in the Kimball College of Theology in 1919. He received his Master of Arts (A.M.) diploma in 1920, the same year he was ordained by the Oregon Conference as a minister of the Methodist Church. As a graduate student, Gatke began teaching at Willamette after being appointed a history fellow in 1919. He taught several history courses in liberal arts and joined the regular Willamette faculty in 1920 after being appointed instructor in history. While attending the Kimball College of Theology, Gatke taught American and European history during the years 1920-1921. He received his Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) in 1921 and was promoted to assistant professor of history at Willamette, a rank he held until 1925.
On August 1, 1923, Gatke married Estelle Satchwell, a fellow Willamette graduate from Shedd, Oregon. That same year he took leave from the Willamette campus to study on a graduate fellowship at American University in Washington, D.C. In 1925 he received a Ph.D. in history with an emphasis in political science. After returning to teaching at Willamette in 1925, Gatke made the decision to accommodate a perceived student interest in politics by placing a political science course in the university course catalog - without faculty or administration approval. The course was approved anyway and such was the beginning of the political science department at Willamette. Also in 1925, Gatke was promoted to associate professor of history and political science, a position he held until 1935 when he was further promoted to professor of political science and history, teaching courses until his official retirement in 1961.
Gatke noted his principle scholarly interest was in the history of the Northwest, which culminated in the publishing of Chronicles of Willamette: The Pioneer University of the West in 1943, a 700-page volume covering the history of the university and the Mid-Willamette Valley. Research for Gatke's Chronicles of Willamette began with his master's thesis work in 1919 and lasted over twenty years, carried out while he taught as a full-time professor. In addition, Chronicles of Willamette was published without any funding provided by the university. In the process of researching, Gatke recovered many letters, documents, and other historical materials which would later become a significant part of Willamette University's Northwest History Collection.
Over the course of his career as a student and educator, Gatke became involved in a number of associations inside and outside of academia. He was a member of the American Political Science Association, American Society of International Law, Sigma Chi Fraternity, American Rhododendron Society, editor of the American Rhododendron Yearbook (1947-1949), and a member of the Methodist Historical and Champoeg Society of the Oregon Conference of United Methodists.
Gatke's hobbies included gardening, landscape work, and writing about gardens He served as an advisor in landscaping and beautifying the Willamette campus from 1934. He planted many rhododendrons and the circle of giant sequoia trees near Collins hall known as the Star Trees.
Among his honors, Gatke was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1967 and the title of Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1961. In the fall of 1968, the Willamette Board of Trustees voted to rename the former College of Law Building in his honor. Gatke spent the years following retirement researching for the second volume of the Chronicles of Willamette and staying active as a member of the Willamette community, frequenting the Willamette Alumni gatherings. He died on December 5, 1968, survived by his widow, Estelle; two sons, Robert M. Gatke Jr. and Richard B. Gatke; and eight grandchildren.
The Robert M. Gatke "Chronicles of Willamette" research collection is organized in two series and contain the documents, records, and other historical materials that Gatke collected in his research on the history of Willamette University and the Mid-Willamette Valley. Series I, the majority of the collection, is arranged in alphabetical order by subject. Folders contain typed or handwritten notes and chapters of the Chronicles as well as research materials. Gatke often covered the outside of the folder with a detailed outline of the information inside the folder. The folder list below contains specific details of each folder's contents.
Series II contains correspondence and statements relating to the search for the Cyrus Shepard diary. Cyrus Shepard was the first teacher in the Indian School established in the Willamette Valley in 1835. This school was the precursor of Willamette University. While once in the possession of Willamette University, the diary was mistakenly given to a retired Methodist minister in 1920 or 1921. Gatke spent the next two decades unsuccessfully trying to recover the diary for the Northwest History Collection.
The Robert M. Gatke "Chronicles of Willamette" research collection is organized in two series. Both series retain original order. Series I, the research collection, is arranged in alphabetical order. Series II is arranged by subject.
The collection is open to researchers.
Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.
For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Copyright Information: Before material from collections at Willamette University Archives and Special Collections may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in any collections held by University Archives and Special Collections should consult the University Archivist. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.
[Identification of item], Robert M. Gatke "Chronicles of Willamette" research collection, Archives and Special Collections, Mark O. Hatfield Library, Willamette University.
Primarily concerns efforts to stimulate alumni interest during the years 1950-1955.
Military news related to Willamette University students.
"The Bancroft History Factory" lecture. Part of "The Source Problems of Oregon History", a paper given before the Social Science professors of the Independent College of Oregon in Salem, April 29, 1933.
Bibliography of Oregon History based on material in W.U. Library (summer 1935) made by Earl Stewart.
Note on blueprints - Proposed Men's Dormitory and Fraternity Houses Willamette University - Salem, Ore. Pietro Belluschi, Archt. Portland, Ore. May 18, 1945.
The Pugh family came across the plains in 1846 and settled in the Willamette valley, near Shedd, Oregon.
Biographical material on Oregon missionaries and teachers. Includes correspondence with relatives of Jason Lee and Father Alvin Waller, as well as material on Isaac Dillon, the Reverend G. Hines and others. The file also includes transcribed minutes of the Oregon Conference meetings August 12-20, 1874.
Typed transcriptions of letters written by Methodist minister David Blain and his wife Catharine Paine Blain as well as an autobiographical fragment by David Blain and a brief history of Methodism in the early Puget Sound area. The letters detail life in the Seattle, Portland and Oregon City areas during the 1850's and early 1860's. Among issues discussed are the Indian wars in 1855-1856, land speculation in the Northwest and the effect of the gold rush on Portland, Oregon.
Outside of folder provides a brief outline of building information covering the dates 1909-1963. Material inside folder is a "Summary of a survey of building and classroom use Willamette University," dated April 24, 1959. There is also an undated letter from Gatke to Willamette University President Bruce Baxter regarding this survey.
Detailed notes of renovations, new buildings and other Willamette University campus changes during the dates noted.
Detailed notes of renovations, new buildings and other Willamette University campus changes during the dates noted.
Detailed notes of renovations, new buildings and other Willamette University campus changes during the dates noted.
Detailed notes of renovations, new buildings and other Willamette University campus changes during the dates noted.
Detailed notes of renovations, new buildings and other Willamette University campus changes during the dates noted.
Detailed notes of renovations, new buildings and other Willamette University campus changes during the dates noted.
Detailed notes of renovations, new buildings and other Willamette University campus changes during the dates noted.
Pamphlets and newspaper clippings dated 1935-1951 detailing the "Willamette Capitol Site Plan."
Notes on the first printing of "Chronicles of Willamette."
Manuscript copy of chapter 14 of "Chronicles of Willamette," which covers the years 1932-1942.
Second manuscript copy of chapter 14 of "Chronicles of Willamette," which covers the years 1932-1942.
Detailed notes of curriculum changes, including use of the G.I. Bill of Rights by Willamette University students during the dates noted.
Correspondence to and from Gatke on various issues. Includes two letters from Burt Brown Barker, who had been a student at Willamette University in the late 1800s.
Minutes of the Reports on Education from the Oregon Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church during noted years.
A copy of the "Education Committee Reports of the Oregon Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1855 to 1930."
Detailed notes of items regarding teaching loads, Phi Beta Kappa, and teacher training, among others, during the dates noted.
Detailed notes of items regarding teaching loads, war time program, and teacher training, among others, during the dates noted.
Three folders with detailed notes of items regarding teaching loads, AROTC, and teacher training, among others.
Lists of faculty members and presidents, information on biographies, grade books of F. G. Franklin when a History professor at University of the Pacific, 1905.
Includes portions of Trustee minutes during noted dates. Also contains a folder of Trustee minutes dealing with issues related to student life - residence hall repairs, Greek house finances, need for new residence halls, etc.
Content covers issues such as the beginning of Willamette University's second century, new President, G. Herbert Smith, war time shortages on campus and tuition raises. Folder also includes two editorials concerning the circumstances of Dr. Carl S. Knopf's resignation as president of Willamette University.
Content covers issues such as the beginning of Willamette University's second century, new President, G. Herbert Smith, war time shortages on campus and tuition raises. Folder also includes two editorials concerning the circumstances of Dr. Carl S. Knopf's resignation as president of Willamette University.
Content covers issues such as the beginning of Willamette University's second century, new President, G. Herbert Smith, war time shortages on campus and tuition raises. Folder also includes two editorials concerning the circumstances of Dr. Carl S. Knopf's resignation as president of Willamette University.
Content covers issues such as the beginning of Willamette University's second century, new President, G. Herbert Smith, war time shortages on campus and tuition raises. Folder also includes two editorials concerning the circumstances of Dr. Carl S. Knopf's resignation as president of Willamette University.
Content covers issues such as Navy requirements for mathematics, President Smith's attendance at a college orientation program given by the Navy and the issue of campus smoking, among others.
Content covers issues such as Navy requirements for mathematics, President Smith's attendance at a college orientation program given by the Navy and the issue of campus smoking, among others.
Content covers issues such as Navy requirements for mathematics, President Smith's attendance at a college orientation program given by the Navy and the issue of campus smoking, among others.
Content covers issues such as Navy requirements for mathematics, President Smith's attendance at a college orientation program given by the Navy and the issue of campus smoking, among others.
Content covers issues such as Navy requirements for mathematics, President Smith's attendance at a college orientation program given by the Navy and the issue of campus smoking, among others.
Content covers issues such as student leadership, reduction of Athletic department funds, Political Science instructor Mark O. Hatfield's political activities and student involvement in the war effort, among others.
Content covers issues such as student leadership, reduction of Athletic department funds, Political Science instructor Mark O. Hatfield's political activities and student involvement in the war effort, among others.
Content covers issues such as student leadership, reduction of Athletic department funds, Political Science instructor Mark O. Hatfield's political activities and student involvement in the war effort, among others.
Content covers issues such as student leadership, reduction of Athletic department funds, Political Science instructor Mark O. Hatfield's political activities and student involvement in the war effort, among others.
Content covers issues such as student leadership, reduction of Athletic department funds, Political Science instructor Mark O. Hatfield's political activities and student involvement in the war effort, among others.
Content covers issues such as student leadership, reduction of Athletic department funds, Political Science instructor Mark O. Hatfield's political activities and student involvement in the war effort, among others.
Content covers issues such as Willamette University alumni in the Oregon Legislature, first ten years of President G. H. Smith's administration and retirement of various long serving professors, among others.
Content covers issues such as Willamette University alumni in the Oregon Legislature, first ten years of President G. H. Smith's administration and retirement of various long serving professors, among others.
Content covers issues such as Willamette University alumni in the Oregon Legislature, first ten years of President G. H. Smith's administration and retirement of various long serving professors, among others.
Content covers issues such as Willamette University alumni in the Oregon Legislature, first ten years of President G. H. Smith's administration and retirement of various long serving professors, among others.
Content covers issues such as Willamette University alumni in the Oregon Legislature, first ten years of President G. H. Smith's administration and retirement of various long serving professors, among others.
Content covers various administrative personnel changes during these years.
Content covers administrative personnel changes during these years.
Notes on financial issues such as building drive for Baxter Hall and financial aid from Bethlehem Steel and the Ford Foundation.
Notebook used by Gatke to collection information on the founding of Willamette University. Also contains key to his markings system.
Information gathered about Dr. Gregg, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Professor of History at Willamette University from 1948-1966.
Bibliography complied for "Chronicles of Willamette." Folder also contains a list of papers Gatke collected for reference work on the book.
Kimball School of Theology bulletins from 1906 to 1927 and notes on the arly years of the school. Also includes biographical information on Kimball School of Theology founder, Reverend Dr. Henry Kimball, and President, Dr. Henry J. Talbott.
Notes on war time conditions at the Law School.
Notes on post war conditions at the Law School including information on a Legal Aid Clinic begun by the students.
Large folder containing several groups of material including three folders of former student replies to a questionnaire about their time at Willamette University (one reply is from Lila V. Swafford Moser); tributes to Dr. Carl S. Knopf; correspondence concerning Dr. Knopf and information about the planting of the Washington Elm. Also contains a copy of the Willamette University Who's Who for 1920, heavily annotated by Gatke, including clippings of alumni obituaries.
File contains materials on a variety of topics including: correspondence with former students; a letter from Gatke regarding the diary of Chloe Clarke Willson; transcriptions of letters by the Reverend William M. Roberts, Third Superintendent of the Oregon Mission; information about the Mission Rose, a rose brought by the Beers family to the Oregon Territory in 1837; and correspondence, programs and other materials relating to the planting of the Mission Rose in the Willamette University rose garden in 1938. Much of the correspondence is between Gatke and Mary Drain Albro, founder of the Pioneer Rose Association. One of these exchanges concerns the burial place of Reverend James Wilbur's daughter, Elizabeth Wilbur Fackler.
Newspaper clippings about the property left to Willamette University by Frederick W. Leadbetter in 1949.
Extracts from letters sent to Dr. R. Ivan Lovell upon his retirement.
List for Northwest letters.
Newspaper articles about the history of Salem and person connected to Willamette University.
Draft copy of the third chapter of "Chronicles of Willamette."
Drury-Busher-Gatke correspondence about the date of the founding of the first Methodist church in San Francisco, California.
Draft copies of chapters 1-3 of "Chronicles of Willamette."
Information collected on the beginnings of the Law School at Willamette University and on the Medical School, including a pamphlet detailing the first faculty for the Medical School.
Program, correspondence, two scripts of the play, information on James Wilbur including news clipping and photograph from book.
Contains a booklet entitled Platforms of the Two Great Political Parties, 1856-1928 and a folder entitled "Work Notes - W.U. History."
Contains folder entitled "Misc. N.W. History Materials and Notes."
Contains notes on information from the late 1800s.
Contains notes on information from the late 1800s.
Contains notes on founding and charter dates for Oregon universities.
Contains correspondence to Dr. Parson and Reverend John Spencer and notes on early Oregon history.
Contains notes from Portland University catalogues.
Contains notes on the Philodorian Society records for 1925.
Contains souvenir pamphlets, programs and notes about commemorations of the "first American Civil Government west of the Rocky Mountains."
Contains manuscript and carbon copy of the preface for "Chronicles of Willamette."
Contains folders on Trustee minutes (1941-1945), George Atkinson, Ellen Chamberlain and Board Meeting minutes (1946-1949).
Information about the history of Santiam Academy, Lebanon, Oregon, including a photograph of the building.
Copies of fiction and non-fiction writings by Gatke.
Copies fund raising letters from President Smith to alumni.
Notes about Bearcat Cavern and Chresto Cottage.
Notes about Bearcat Cavern and Chresto Cottage.
Notes about Bearcat Cavern and Chresto Cottage.
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU).
Minutes of Oregon Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church meetings and other information about early theological education in the Northwest.
Excerpts from Board Minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee minutes during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee reports during noted years.
Excerpts from Trustee reports during noted years.
Information about Trustee activities during noted years.
Notes, pamphlets and news clippings about the Oregon Institute and the founders of Willamette University. Includes a typed copy of the journal kept by Jason Lee while he was at the Dalles Mission Station in 1843.
Letters and other documents written by or to Henry Brewer, William H. Gray, L. H. Judson, David Leslie, William Raymond, William H. Willson and others. Includes the Quit Claim Deed, 1844, signed by Dr. Ira L. Babcock, and a handwritten copy of William H. Willson's Bond, signed July 11, 1847.
Chapter VI, covered by the notes in this folder, includes the exact wording of the charter granted to the university on 12 January, 1853.
Notes, pamphlets and news clippings about Willamette University during this decade.
Manuscript and three copies of a paper by Luther D. Cook entitled "Willamette in the Seventies" which was written for an advance course in Pacific Northwest history for Dr. Gatke.
Notes, pamphlets and news clippings about Willamette University during these decades.
Notes about Willamette University's centennial celebration.
Notes, pamphlets and news clippings about Willamette University.
Replies to questionnaire Gatke sent to former students. Also notes on student interests complied by various graduate students for Gatke's class.
Typed copy of pages 1-181 of Chapter XV.
Typed copy of pages 182- 313 of Chapter XV.
Typed copy of pages 314-477 of Chapter XV.
Typed copy of pages 478-600 of Chapter XV.
Signed original statement and a copy.
Includes a photograph of Clara S. N. Traxler, granddaughter of Cyrus Shepard, presenting a letter written by Cyrus Shepard to Dr. Robert Gatke. Also a note from Mrs. Traxler outlining the Cyrus Shepard family lineage.