Overview of the Collection
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Repository Name:
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Whitman College and Northwest
Archives
345 Boyer Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 527-5922
archives@whitman.edu
www.whitman.edu/content/penrose/archives
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Collection Number:
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USHTM_WCMss38
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Creator:
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Thomsen,
Robert R.
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Title:
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Robert R. Thomsen Photographs and
Clippings
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Dates:
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1951-1985 (inclusive)
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Quantity:
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0.4 linear feet
1 box
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Languages:
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Materials are in
English
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Summary:
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This collection comprises materials
donated by Robert R. Thomsen from his time as coach in the Physical Education
Department of Whitman College
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Biographical Note
Robert (Bob) R. Thomsen was born in Wahpeton, North Dakota, in 1914.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Education with majors in mathematics and
physical education from the University of North Dakota in 1934. Between 1943
and 1946, he served as a Lieutenant in the Navy as an air navigator instructor
for Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola and NAS Pacific. From the University of
Wyoming he earned his Masters of Arts in 1950 and Ph.D. in Education in 1952.
Bob Thomsen served as an assistant athletic coach, an athletic coach, and a
high school principal for various high schools in Minnesota. He was a football
and track coach at the Springfield High School Institute and a graduate
assistant in the physical education department, and director of intramurals and
supervisor for student cumulative records at the University of Wyoming. He was
also active in the Boys Scouts and Little League.
In September 1952, Thomsen came to Whitman College. For 27 years he
held both athletic and administrative posts. He was first assistant football
coach (succeeding Joe Ponsalle) and from 1955, he was the head football coach
(succeeding Joe Beidler). From 1963, he was golf coach and from 1969, cross
country coach and chairman of the department of physical education. From 1954
until 1969, he was Dean of Men. He retired from Whitman College in 1979, but he
has stayed actively involved with humanitarian organizations and a member of
various city councils.
Some of the organizational memberships Thomsen has held during the
years are: Alpha Tau Omega, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Epsilon Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa,
National College Physical Education Association for Men, National Association
of Intercollegiate Athletics Coaches, American Association for Health, Physical
Education and Athletics, American Deans, Walla Walla Bowling Association,
Masonic Lodge, El Katif Temple, Blue Mountain Shrine Club (President, 1969),
United Fund Campaigner, Rotary International, Walla Walla and Big Blue Booster
Clubs, and Chairman of Judges - Juvenile Commission. He was also the recipient
of the 18th annual Town-Gown Award in 1978.
In 1940 he married Ruth Elisabeth Finely and had a son, Thomas (Tommy)
Finely Thomsen. He also has five grandchildren.
Content Description
This collection contains photographs and clippings from Robert R.
Thomsen’s time as an athletic coach at Whitman College. The photographs, of
which some are identified by year and by person, are of college football,
cross-country and golf, as well as the teams and individual athletes coached
throughout the years by Thomsen.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives by Robert R.
Thomsen on October 21, 2005.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access Collection is open for research.
Restrictions on Use Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C.
Copyright transferred to Whitman College.
Preferred Citation Robert R. Thomsen Photographs and Clippings, Whitman College and
Northwest Archives.
Subjects
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.
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| Thomsen,
Robert R.--Archives |
| Whitman
College--Faculty |
| College
athletes--Washington (state)--Walla Walla |
| College
coaches--Washington (state)--Walla Walla |
| Clippings--Washington
(state) |
| Photographs--Washington
(state) |
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in
the collection.
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Series 1:
Photographs, 1951-1985
approximately 1
box
This series contains team and individual athletes’ photographs,
with some identified by year and name.
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Container(s)
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Description
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Dates
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Individual photographs,
identified
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1951-1981 |
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Individual photographs,
unidentified
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circa
1960-1975 |
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Team photographs,
identified
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1966-1982 |
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Team photographs,
unidentified
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1955-1985 |
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Series 2:
Clippings, 1969-1981
1 folder
This series contains clippings from the
Whitman College Pioneer and the
Walla Walla Union Bulletin regarding
athletic events.
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Container(s)
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Description
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Dates
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Clippings
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1969-1981 |
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Series 3:
Miscellaneous, 1957-1978
1 folder
This series contains an unidentified photograph, some handwritten
notes of donators of the materials and some sports-related pamphlets.
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Container(s)
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Description
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Dates
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Unidentified photograph,
handwritten notes and pamphlets
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1957-1978 |
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