Interviewer: Gary Blanchard
Interview Date: September 2008
Location: Roth residence, Corvallis, Oregon
Duration: 1:26:47
In this interview, Jean Starker Roth discusses her early life and childhood experiences growing up in Corvallis, Oregon. She explains how her parents decided to settle in Corvallis, noting that her father, T.J. Starker, was a professor at Oregon State University. She recalls her favorite childhood activities and reflects on her close familial relationships and strong friendships. Roth also describes her time in both high school and college, stating that she pursued a higher education despite her father’s initial resistance.
The interview then turns to Roth’s experiences after obtaining a degree in home economics. She notes that she joined the workforce as a teacher, before marrying her husband Kermit Roth and helping with the sawmill that he owned. She reflects on their early work in the mill, explaining that they struggled financially but were able to keep the property due to her husband’s stock investments. Roth recalls that the mill became profitable eventually, and that she and her husband used the funds earned from that business to invest in property.
Roth then begins to talk about her children: Ken, Kreg, Kathy, and Kim. She describes their behavior as children before providing an overview of the career paths they ended up following. Roth uses this discussion to note the differences in job opportunities for women of her generation and her daughter’s generation, emphasizing that both of her daughters have their own careers. She also briefly describes her grandchildren and their interests.
The interview concludes with Roth recalling a collection of different personal events, including her relationship with her husband, their marriage in a Presbyterian church, their children’s schooling, and their close friends. Roth expresses satisfaction with her accomplishments and her involvement in her community, specifically noting her contributions to the local hospital, university, and library.
Jean Starker Roth (1920-2015) earned her bachelor's degree from Oregon State College in 1942, and enjoyed a long career as a teacher, Extension staffer, philanthropist, and executive at Starker Forests, Inc.
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The interview then turns to Roth’s experiences after obtaining a degree in home economics. She notes that she joined the workforce as a teacher, before marrying her husband Kermit Roth and helping with the sawmill that he owned. She reflects on their early work in the mill, explaining that they struggled financially but were able to keep the property due to her husband’s stock investments. Roth recalls that the mill became profitable eventually, and that she and her husband used the funds earned from that business to invest in property.
Roth then begins to talk about her children: Ken, Kreg, Kathy, and Kim. She describes their behavior as children before providing an overview of the career paths they ended up following. Roth uses this discussion to note the differences in job opportunities for women of her generation and her daughter’s generation, emphasizing that both of her daughters have their own careers. She also briefly describes her grandchildren and their interests.
The interview concludes with Roth recalling a collection of different personal events, including her relationship with her husband, their marriage in a Presbyterian church, their children’s schooling, and their close friends. Roth expresses satisfaction with her accomplishments and her involvement in her community, specifically noting her contributions to the local hospital, university, and library.
Jean Starker Roth (1920-2015) earned her bachelor's degree from Oregon State College in 1942, and enjoyed a long career as a teacher, Extension staffer, philanthropist, and executive at Starker Forests, Inc.