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Robert K. Beck Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MsC0394

  • Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The papers of Robert K. Beck consist of three boxes (1.5 linear feet) of correspondence, subject files, clippings, speeches, etc. relating primarily to Republican politics in Iowa. There is also information about the newspaper business, Rathbun Dam, and Beck's father (Jesse M. Beck). The correspondence is arranged chronologically and includes letters from: Gerald Bogan, James Bromwell, John M. Henry, Bourke B. Hickenlooper, Leo Heogh, Karl LeComple, Thomas E. Martin, Jack Miller, and Jack Schroeder.

Dates

  • Creation: 1938-1968
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1966-1968

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply; please consult Special Collections staff for further information.

Biographical / Historical

Robert K. Beck was born in Centerville, Iowa on July 17, 1915. He graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1937. In 1943, Beck became the editor/publisher on the Daily Iowegan and Citizen in Centerville. He was also an owner of the Centerville radio station KCOG. In 1967 he added the Weekly Corydon Times-Republican to his newspaper holdings. From 1943 to 1965, Beck was involved in various newspapers in California. A past president of the Iowa Press Association, he was awarded their Iowa Master Editor-Publisher in 1963.

Beck was active in Republican politics in the state. He served in the state legislature for one term in the 1950s and twice sought the party's gubernatorial nomination in the 1960s. He was a member of the Iowa Highway Commission from 1955 -- 1965. In 1972, Beck was named chairman of Iowans for Right to Work.

Extent

1.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Newspaper publisher in Centerville, Iowa . Correspondence, clippings, speeches, subject files, etc., relating to newspaper publishing, Republican politics, and the Rathbun Dam.

Method of Acquisition

Robert K. Beck gave his papers to the University of Iowa in 1980 and 1981.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the University of Iowa Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5921
319-335-5900 (Fax)