Alfred E. Lange memoir and funeral program, circa 1975-1981

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Lange, Alfred E.
Title
Alfred E. Lange memoir and funeral program
Dates
circa 1975-1981 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.2 linear feet, (1 box)
Collection Number
WCMss.006
Summary
This collection contains unpublished reminiscences of a physician who practiced in Walla Walla, Washington from 1923-1966.
Repository
Whitman College and Northwest Archives
Whitman College and Northwest Archives
Penrose Library, Room 130
345 Boyer Avenue
Walla Walla, WA
99362
Telephone: 5095275922
Fax: 5095264785
archives@whitman.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Alfred E. Lange was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 17, 1892. He graduated from Whitman College in 1915 and attended medical school at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. After his graduation from medical school in 1919, he did a residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

In 1921, he married Ruth Wedge, and in July 1923, he established his family medical practice in Walla Walla, Washington. While active in his practice, he returned to Whitman College as a faculty member, serving as Lecturer in Hygiene from 1934-1943. At the time of his retirement in 1966, he was affiliated with the Catherine St. Clinic.

In 1966, Alfred E. Lange moved to the Washington coast. He died in Seattle on August 18, 1981.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of two items: a funeral program and Lange's unpublished 45 page memoirs about his profession, titled "Trials and Tribulations of Practice in Walla Walla." His reminiscences provide a rich source of information about relationships between physicians and hospital administrators, interactions among physicians, and the practice of medicine, particularly pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology in Walla Walla during the mid 20th century. Lange vividly describes his colleagues and his patients and covers a number of medical cases in depth. He devotes significant portions of his memoirs to discussions of abortion and changes in the medical management of childbirth. Researchers should note that Lange's family edited his original manuscript.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives prior to August 2004.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 "Trials and Tribulations of Practice in Walla Walla" circa 1975
1 2 Funeral program 1981