Robert Reichart Oral History Interview

Reichart, both a graduate and later a faculty member at Oregon State University, enjoyed a varied career. Initially joining the OAC staff as an accounting professor, he filled a number of positions during his time at the institution. His best known impact on OSU was the creation of a self-learning center in the School of Forestry.

In his interview, Reichart provides a brief background of his family and the motivation for them to move to Oregon, noting his father realization that he would not be able to provide all of his children with a college education if they remained in New York.

Reichart also shares pieces of his childhood, recalling his time as an errand boy for a lace company when his family still lived in New York. Moving on to Oregon, he relates some of his memories from Chautaqua, an adult education movement that made regular stops in Corvallis. Another point of interest is his tenure as a student at Oregon Agricultural College as a student. An avid reader, Reichart spent a large amount of time in the library. In addition to reading, he also had a passion for writing and was a member of an informal writing club.