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Oregon State University
Special Collections and Archives
Research Center

CH2M Hill, Inc. Oral Histories, 1961-1984View associated digital content.

Predominant Dates: 1982-1983
The CH2M Hill, Inc. Oral Histories document the evolution of the CH2M Hill engineering firm through the lens of personal histories of its principal founders and longtime employees. The collection consists of recordings and transcripts of interviews with seven individuals crucial to the creation, growth and character of the firm, as well as extensive background information compiled by the project's managers, employees of the Horner Museum. All of the audiocassettes held in this collection and some of the interview transcripts have been digitized and these files are available upon patron request.
ID: OH 019
Extent: 2.0 cubic feet
More Extent Information
Scope and Content Notes
Biographical / Historical Notes
Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.
Arrangement
Preferred Citation: CH2M Hill, Inc. Oral Histories (OH 019), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Acquisition Note: These oral histories were originally part of the Horner Museum Oral History Collection (OH 010). In 2013 they were separated out and described as a new collection.
Languages of Materials
Other

Container List

Series 1: Audiocassettes, 1980-1983 Add to Shelf
The arrangement of audiocassettes established by the Horner Museum has been maintained in this series. Horner Museum accession numbers are included with each set of audiocassettes. All interviews were conducted by Jennifer Lee. The collection's audiocassettes were digitized by the Special Collections and Archives Research Center in 2019. Access .mp3 derivatives are available for researcher use upon request.
Extent: 60 items
Box-Item 1.1 - 1.2: Roderick, Ralph, May 19, 1980 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 980-1-9a-b. Abstract for all Roderick interviews: Born in 1908. Studied civil engineering at Kansas State University. Found work supervising the construction of sewage and water treatment plants. Served in the U.S. Coast Artillary Corps during World War II. Met Fred Merryfield and became a partner in 1946. Retired in 1970. Describes fond memories of the firm and its employees. Maintained an active interest in golf, especially in retirement.
Box-Item 1.3 - 1.5: Roderick, Ralph, May 27, 1980 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 980-1-9c-e.
Box-Item 1.6 - 1.7: Smith, Jewell "Bud", January 18, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-1a-b. Abstract for all Smith interviews: Born in 1918. Served in the armed forces during World War II. Custodian at CH2M Hill from 1946-1982. Observation of being black in Corvallis, gardening, and being avid sports fan. Describes entertaining black athletes. Died March 2, 1984.
Box-Item 1.8 - 1.9: Smith, Jewell "Bud", October 14, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-1c-d
Box-Item 1.10 - 1.11: Smith, Jewell "Bud", November 17, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-1e-f
Box-Item 1.12 - 1.13: Hayes, Thomas Burke, February 2, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-2a-b. Abstract for all Hayes interviews: Born in 1912. Attended O.S.C. in Engineering in 1930. Quit to make money during the Depression (odd jobs). From 1936-38 returned to O.S.C. in electrical engineering. Received a master's from MIT (1938-40). 1942, commissioned in the Navy. Joined with F. Merryfield, H. Cornell, and J. Howland. CH2M - FLOmatcher. Retired in 1980.
Box-Item 1.14 - 1.15: Hayes, Thomas Burke, February 5, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-2c-d
Box-Item 1.16 - 1.18: Hayes, Thomas Burke, February 26, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-2e-g
Box-Item 1.19 - 1.21: Hayes, Thomas Burke, February 11, 1983 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-2h-j
Box-Item 1.22 - 1.23: Cornell, Holly A., February 10, 1982 Add to Shelf

Horner accession numbers 982-1-3a-b. Abstract for all Cornell interviews: Born in 1914. Attended O.S.C. in Engineering from 1934-38. Graduate study at Yale University. Served in the U.S. Army Corps in the 1940s. 1945-46 start of CH2M Hill in Corvallis. Discusses personal contributions to the firm.

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Item 1.24 - 1.25: Cornell, Holly A., February 22, 1982 Add to Shelf

Horner accession numbers 982-1-3c-d

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Item 1.26 - 1.27: Cornell, Holly A., April 5, 1982 Add to Shelf

Horner accession numbers 982-1-3e-f

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Item 1.28 - 1.31: Cornell, Holly A., March 17, 1983 Add to Shelf

Horner accession numbers 982-1-3g-j

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Item 1.32 - 1.33: Rice, Archie H., March 1, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-4a-b. Abstract for all Rice interviews: Born on June 17, 1917. Worked with building contractor. Spent Depression years in Portland. Attended school at Albany College (Lewis and Clark), Reed College, and O.S.C. from 1938-1941 in the School of Engineering. In 1941 became Assistant Sanitary Engineer for Oregon State Sanitary Authority. In 1942 became Chief Sanitary Engineer for Camp Adair. During World War II, served as a Second Lieutenant in the Sanitary Corps from 1943-1946. Joined four other consulting engineers in Corvallis in 1946 to found CH2M Hill. Discusses MicroFloc, Neptune Meter Company and other CH2M Hill interests.
Box-Item 1.34 - 1.35: Rice, Archie H., March 8, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-4c-d
Box-Item 2.1 - 2.2: Rice, Archie H., March 12, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-4e-f
Box-Item 2.3: Rice, Archie H., April 11, 1983 Add to Shelf
Horner accession number 982-1-4g
Box-Item 2.4 - 2.5: Rice, Archie H., April 13, 1983 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-4h-i
Box-Item 2.6 - 2.8: Hill, Clair A., March 3, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-5a-c. Abstract for all Hill interviews: Born in 1909. Graduate of Stanford University in civil engineering. 1934 worked with Standard Oil and California Bridge Department. In 1938 started own engineering business. Served in Army during World War II for five years. Staunch Republican - involved with politics. In 1946 started a business called Clair Hill and Associates in Redding, CA. Discusses benchmarks and developments. Merged with CH2M in 1970.
Box-Item 2.9 - 2.13: Hill, Clair A., July 27, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-5d-h
Box-Item 2.14: Hill, Clair A., November 29, 1983 Add to Shelf
This recording was not assigned a Horner accession number.
Box-Item 2.15: Hill, Clair A., December 2, 1983 Add to Shelf
Horner accession number 982-1-5i
Box-Item 2.16 - 2.17: Howland, James C., March 17, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-6a-b. Abstract for all Howland interviews: Born in 1916. Attended O.S.C. between 1934-1938 in the School of Engineering. Received a M.S. at M.I.T. Discusses World War II experiences in Hawaii and Saipan. In 1946 started a consulting engineering firm in Corvallis (CH2M) with O.S.C. Professor Fred Merryfield and former O.S.C. students Holly Cornell and Thomas Burke Hayes. Manager and President of firm from 1947-1974. Chairman of CH2M from 1974-1976 [?].
Box-Item 2.18 - 2.19: Howland, James C., April 13, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-6c-d
Box-Item 2.20: Howland, James C., May 6, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession number 982-1-6e
Box-Item 2.21 - 2.22: Howland, James C., May 11, 1982 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-6f-g
Box-Item 2.23 - 2.24: Howland, James C., April 22, 1983 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-6h-i
Box-Item 2.25: Howland, James C., April 25, 1983 Add to Shelf
Horner accession numbers 982-1-6j
Series 2: Interview Notes and Draft Transcripts, 1968-1984 Add to Shelf
This series contains research notes and background materials compiled in preparation for specific oral history interviews. The series also includes multiple drafts of interview transcripts, as well as transcripts in their final published form. Finalized transcripts for all seven oral history interviewees also have been cataloged as monographs into both the OSU Libraries general book collection as well as the Special Collections & Archives Research Center's History of the Pacific Northwest book collection. The monographs contain tables of contents and lengthy biographical abstracts.
Extent: 26 folders
Box-Folder 3.1: Research and Interview Notes: Cornell, Holly A., 1968-1983 Add to Shelf
Folder includes an audiocassette recording of an undated Presidential Message by Cornell and an Engineering Production Study prepared by Cornell, May 1968.
Box-Folder 3.2: Draft Interview Transcripts: Cornell, Holly A., 1982-1983 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.3: Draft Interview Transcripts: Cornell, Holly A., 1982-1983 Add to Shelf
This transcript has been digitized and is available upon request.
Box-Folder 3.4: Finalized Interview Transcripts: Cornell, Holly A., 1984 Add to Shelf
This material has been digitized and is available upon request.
Box-Folder 3.5: Draft Interview Transcripts: Hayes, Thomas Burke, 1982 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.6: Draft Interview Transcripts: Hayes, Thomas Burke, 1982 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.7: Draft Interview Transcripts: Hayes, Thomas Burke, 1983 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.8: Finalized Interview Transcripts: Hayes, Thomas Burke, 1984 Add to Shelf
This material has been digitized and is available upon request.
Box-Folder 3.9: Research and Interview Notes: Hill, Clair A., 1982-1984 Add to Shelf
Folder includes a reproduced promotional booklet titled "At Your Service," released by the firm Clair A. Hill & Associates, circa 1954.
Box-Folder 3.10: Draft Interview Transcripts: Hill, Clair A., 1982-1983 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.11: Draft Interview Transcripts: Hill, Clair A., 1982-1983 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.12: Finalized Interview Transcripts: Hill, Clair A., 1984 Add to Shelf
This material has been digitized and is available upon request.
Box-Folder 4.1: Research and Interview Notes: Howland, James C., 1980-1984 Add to Shelf
Folder includes the transcript of an interview with Howland conducted by Howard Hilton, April 1980. Folder also includes reproductions of numerous writings by Howland including an untitled booklet (the "Little Yellow Book") containing his thoughts on ethics and management.
Box-Folder 4.2: Draft Interview Transcripts: Howland, James C., 1982-1983 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.3: Draft Interview Transcripts: Howland, James C., 1982-1983 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.4: Finalized Interview Transcripts: Howland, James C., 1984 Add to Shelf
This material has been digitized and is available upon request.
Box-Folder 4.5: Research and Interview Notes: Rice, Archie H., 1982-1983 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.6: Draft Interview Transcripts: Rice, Archie H., 1982-1984 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.7: Draft Interview Transcripts: Rice, Archie H., 1982-1984 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.8: Finalized Interview Transcripts: Rice, Archie H., 1984 Add to Shelf
This material has been digitized and is available upon request.
Box-Folder 4.9: Research and Interview Notes: Roderick, Ralph E., 1980 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.10: Draft Interview Transcripts: Roderick, Ralph E., 1980 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.11: Finalized Interview Transcripts: Roderick, Ralph E., 1984 Add to Shelf
This material has been digitized and is available upon request.
Box-Folder 4.12: Research and Interview Notes: Smith, Jewell "Bud", 1981-1984 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.13: Draft Interview Transcripts: Smith, Jewell "Bud", 1982 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.14: Finalized Interview Transcripts: Smith, Jewell "Bud", 1984 Add to Shelf
Series 3: Project Files, 1961-1984 Add to Shelf
This series consists of various materials created or collected in support of the oral history project, including photographic prints and slides of the CH2M Hill founders. Folders in this series have been scanned and are noted below.
Extent: 6 folders
Box-Folder 4.15: Project Proposal: "Oral History of Ch2M Hill Founders," submitted by the Horner Museum, April 10, 1980 Add to Shelf
This folder has been scanned and is available upon request.
Box-Folder 4.16: Project Notes and Correspondence, 1980-1984 Add to Shelf
Folder includes interview abstracts and signed permissions forms for all participants except Ralph Roderick.
Box-Folder 4.17: Photographic Prints and Slides, 1961-1982 Add to Shelf
Prints include three portraits of Ralph Roderick, five portraits of Jewell "Bud" Smith and a group portrait of the CH2M Board of Directors, circa 1968. Slides include portraits of Cornell, Hayes, Hill, Howland, Rice and Roderick, circa 1982.
Box-Folder 5.1: CH2M Hill Historical File, circa 1980s Add to Shelf
A collection of newspaper clippings, annual reports, corporate timelines and assorted reproduced documents assembled by the oral history project team in preparation for project interviews.
Box-Folder 5.2: "An Examination of Factors Relating to the Development of a Consulting Engineering Firm," by Lowell Vern Smith. Master's Thesis, School of Business Administration, University of Oregon, June 1963 Add to Shelf
Document has been bound with a cover titled "CH2M - Past, Present and Future."
Box-Folder 5.3: Photocopied "Presentation Books" given to Clair Hill, Holly Cornell and Archie Rice, 1974, 1981 Add to Shelf
Presentation Books are comprised of annotated newspaper clippings, photographs, brochures and ephemera documenting the careers of Hill, Cornell and Rice.
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