Lester Kirkendall Oral History Interview

In this interview, Lester Kirkendall discusses his career as a professor of sex education and family studies. Kirkendall was born and raised in western Kansas, graduating from high school in 1924. He then talks about his job as a high school teacher and as a professor at Teacher’s College of Connecticut. He became involved with family studies after witnessing the negative effects of chaotic or abusive home lives on children. He gradually also became interested in sexuality studies. Kirkendall discusses in great detail his several jobs as an educator in the U.S. and in Italy, as a member of the U.S Office of Education, and as the head of the Division of Counseling and Guidance at the University of Oklahoma. He likewise discusses his experiences with Oregon State University faculty and students as well as his experiences as a sexuality studies professor in the early 1960s. From there, Kirkendall describes his research and philosophy and explains his findings. The interview concludes with Kirkendall speaking about the books he’s written, co-authored and edited.

Lester A. Kirkendall was born on November 15, 1903, and was raised on a farm in western Kansas. Although he struggled with school early on, he was encouraged by a friendly classmate and an algebra teacher who helped him to finish high school as a valedictorian in 1924. He credits these people with igniting the spark that became his passion for education. Kirkendall then attended Washburn University and Kansas State University for his undergraduate degree, and Teacher’s College of Connecticut for his master’s and doctoral degrees. His focus was in family studies and sex education and he spent many years of his life as an educator in these fields. Kirkendall was employed at Oregon State University for twenty years, teaching human relations, family life and sex education. He retired in 1969. Kirkendall also wrote several books, pamphlets, magazine articles and chapters on topics related to human sexuality and family studies. He likewise worked with national organizations and spoke at several national conferences and conventions. He passed away in Corvallis on May 15, 1991.