Administrative Information | Search Terms | Biographical Note | Scope and Contents Note | Arrangement | PDF of Finding Aid
 

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Title:     Robert F. Karolevitz Papers

Dates:     1833-2005, undated (bulk 1910-1999)

Creator:     Robert F. Karolevitz

Physical description:     65.81 linear feet—58 containers, 3,770 photographs, 346 negatives, 264 slides, 1 color transparency, 2 audio cassettes, 1 micro-audio cassette

Collection number:     MA 39

Language:     Collection material in English.

Repository:     South Dakota State University Archives, Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.

Abstract:     Freelance author and humorist. Articles, manuscripts, columns, commercial writing, political ghostwriting, speeches, clippings, photographs, professional and personal correspondence, and research files relating either directly to books or material of interest.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Provenance: The bulk of this collection was donated to South Dakota State University Archives by Bob and Phyllis Karolevitz in the summer of 2005. The Paper Mountain manuscript material was donated in March 1999 to the Archives by Dennis Lundgren, SDSU Printing Laboratory manager.

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to research with the following restrictions:

1. The donor retains copyright until his death, at which time copyright and renewal rights to the donated materials transfer to the donor’s designee.

2. The Archives reserves the right at any time to microfilm or otherwise duplicate these materials as required for preservation or exhibition.

3. Many of the photographs in this collection were collected from sources other than Karolevitz and may have copyright restrictions on them. It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material from this collection to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request.

4. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright Status: Copyright 2007 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this finding aid.

It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request. Please note that most collections, especially those received before 1997, may not have complete information on file. (Revised 15 SEP 2003)

Preferred Citation: [identification of item]. Robert F. Karolevitz papers, MA 39, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D.

Processing Information: Crystal J. Gamradt, C.A., Staff Archivist, began processing this collection in March of 2006 with completion in October of 2007.

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the subject guide. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

Names:

• Butler, Frank Osgood, 1861-

• Dunn, Harvey, 1884-1952.

• Fenn Ross S.

• Freeman, Frederick Kemper, 1910-1982.

• Karolevitz family. Correspondence.

• Karolevitz, Robert F. (Robert Francis), 1922-

• Marty, Martin, Bp., 1834-1896.

• Melroe, E. G., 1892-1955.

• Torrance, Roscoe C. (Roscoe Conkling), 1899-

Subjects:

• Advertising—Automobiles.

• Agricultural machinery industry—United States.

• Agriculture—Anecdotes, facetiae, satire, etc.

• American newspapers—West (U.S.)—History.

• Americans—Poland.

• Automobiles—History.

• Baseball team owners—Washington (State)

• Bishops—South Dakota.

• Businessmen—United States.

• Businessmen—Washington (State)—Bellevue,

• Catholic Church—Bishops

• Catholic Church—South Dakota—History.

• Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)

• Community newspapers—United States.

• Dakota Indians—Missions.

• Farm life—South Dakota.

• Farm life—Washington (State)

• History of Medicine—19^th Century—United States.

• Hospitals—Organization and administration.

• Hospitals—Public relations.

• Indians of North America—South Dakota—Missions.

• Inventors—United States.

• Journalism.

• Kościuszko Air Squadron

• Medicine—United States.

• Missionaries—South Dakota.

• Missionaries—Switzerland.

• Motorcycles—United States—History.

• Newspapers—South Dakota—History.

• Paper industry—United States.

• Physicians—United States

• Poland. Armia. 7. Eskadra Myśliwska imienia Kościuszki.

• Presidents—United States.

• Press associations.

• Public relations.

• Russo-Polish War, 1919-1920—Regimental histories—Poland.

• Sacred Heart Hospital (Yankton, S.D.)

• South Dakota—History.

• Sports promoters—Washington (State)

• State capitols (U.S.)

• Tractors.

• Trucks—United States—History.

• World War, 1939-1945—Regimental histories.

• Yankton (S.D.)—History.

• Yankton College—History.

Occupations:

• Freelancers.

• Humorists.

• Public information officer, Seattle (Wash.) Port of Embarkation.

• Public information officer, United States Eighth Army.

• United States. Army, Infantry Division, 25^th—Division historian.

Locations:

• Douglas County (S.D.)—History.

• Bellevue (Wash.)

• Seattle (Wash.)

• Davison County (S.D.)—History.

• Yankton, S.D.—History.

• South Dakota—History.

Organizations:

• Catholic Dioceses of Sioux Falls (S.D.)—History.

• Children’s Home Society of South Dakota.

• Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

• American Legion.

• Benedictine Health Foundation.

• Health Services Center Building Utilization and Planning Committee.

• Lewis & Clark Health Education and Service Agency.

• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Advisory Council.

• Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation.

• Maritime Press Association.

• National Newspaper Association.

• Phi Kappa Phi.

• Puget Sound Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

• Ruth School for Girls.

• Yankton, S.D. Sacred Heart Church.

• Sacred Heart Hospital.

• SDSU Alumni Association.

• Seattle Advertising Club.

• Seattle Junior Chamber of Commerce, Ten Outstanding Young Men Committee.

• Shared Resources, Inc.

• Sigma Delta Chi.

• South Dakota Hall of Fame.

• South Dakota Health Services Agency.

• South Dakota Hospital Association.

• South Dakota Regional Medical Programs/Community Health Programs (RMP/CHP)

• South Dakota State Historical Society.

• WW-20 Club (Want to Write Twenty Dollars Worth Club of America)

• Yankton (S.D.) Chamber of Commerce.

• Yankton Area Health Education Center.

• Yankton County Historical Society and Old Settlers Association.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Robert F. Karolevitz, a native of Yankton, South Dakota, was born at Sacred Heart Hospital on April 26, 1922. He began his writing career in high school as editor of the school newspaper and yearbook. He also wrote a sports column for the Yankton Public Opinion. After graduation from Yankton High School in 1940, he began studying printing and journalism at South Dakota State College.

From 1943 to 1946, Karolevitz served with the United States Army Infantry in Japan and the Philippines during World War II.  He attained the rank of captain of the 25^th Infantry, and, as division historian, wrote his first book, The 25^th Infantry Division and World War II which was published by the Army and Nave Publishing Company in 1946. Following his military service, he returned to South Dakota State College and graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Printing and Rural Journalism. From Brookings, Karolevitz went on to study at the University of Oregon, where he earned a master’s degree in journalism.

As an army reservist in 1950, Karolevitz attended a 14-week course at the Armed Forces Information School in Pennsylvania and gained national attention for his article about the program in Quill, a magazine for professional journalists. In 1951, he was recalled to active duty as a public-information officer at the Seattle (Washington) Port of Embarkation where he organized and promoted welcome home celebrations for returning Korean War veterans. Later in the Korean War, he worked as a public-information officer with the United States Eighth Army. His duties included serving in Korea as a feature writer, document censor, and press escort for the Panmunjom Peace Train.

In 1951, Karolevitz and his wife, Phyllis (Gunderson) settled in Seattle, Washington. He began working as a freelance promoter and publicist for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. He also worked at political ghost writing, commercial writing, and advertising, eventually becoming president of the Seattle Advertising Club. Karolevitz established himself as a writer of popular history with his book Newspapering in the Old West: A Pictorial History of Journalism and Printing on the Frontier, published in 1965 by Superior Publishing in Seattle. He won a special award for excellence from the Washington State Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi for this book.

After almost two decades in the Seattle, Washington, area, Karolevitz returned to South Dakota with his wife Phyllis and two daughters, Jan and Jill. Here he continued his freelance writing career and began building a publication list that included numerous historical works. These included Where Your Heart Is: The Story of Harvey Dunn, Artist which earned Karolevitz the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Wrangler Award, presented to outstanding writers in the field of western literature; Challenge: The South Dakota Story an historical overview of the state written in conjunction with the South Dakota Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and for which he was presented the Western Writers Award for Achievement by the Center of Western Studies at Augustana College, in Sioux Falls, S.D; and Flight of Eagles: The Story of the American Kościuszko Squadron in the Polish-Russian War, 1919-1920, written with Ross Fenn. This is the story of a group of World War I American fliers who choose to stay in Europe to fight with Polish forces during a year-long war against Russia. Karolevitz and Fenn were awarded a Gold Merit Cross from the Polish Government-in-Exile in London.

Along with his historical works, Karolevitz authored a column entitled “Writer at Large,” which appeared in a number of South Dakota newspapers. He also wrote “The Way It Was,” a historical column featured in the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan. He compiled his favorite columns into two books, Tears in My Horseradish (1983) and Toulouse the Goose and Other Ridiculous Stories (1985).

Karolevitz has served as a board member for many institutions, including Yankton County Historical Society, the South Dakota Hall of Fame, and the South Dakota Art Museum. He was elected to the South Dakota State Historical Society Board of Trustees in 1973 and served for over thirty years, retiring in June 2005. He also played a role in the establishment of the South Dakota State Historical Society Press in 1997, acting as financial advisor and author’s advocate. He has served as president of the South Dakota State University Alumni Association and has received its Distinguished Alumni Award. He is past chairman of Sacred Heart Hospital board of trustees and the South Dakota Health Systems Agency. He was chairman of the board of Lewis & Clark Health Education & Service Agency, and served on the board of directors of the Yankton Area Health Education Center.

Throughout most of his professional career, Karolevitz has published nearly forty books, written dozens of columns, and sold over one thousand magazine articles, features, and poems, many to national publications. In honor of his years of achievement, he was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1973 and selected as the organization’s Writer of the Year in 1986. The South Dakota Newspaper Association named him Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1981, and the South Dakota Council of Teachers of English named his Author of the Year for 1989-1990. Karolevitz received the Pankow Media Award in 1991 and was chosen as Yankton’s Citizen of the Year in 1981 for his literary work and civic involvement. He also earned the Bishop Dudley Media Award from the Diocese of Sioux Falls (2004) and the Sertoma Service to Mankind Award (2005).

Bibliography:

Bishop Martin Marty: “The Black Robe Lean Chief.” Yankton, S.D.: Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Covent, 1980.

A Century of Love: The First 100 Years of the Children’s Home Society of South Dakota, 1893-1993. Mission Hill, S.D.: Dakota Homestead Publishers for the Children’s Home Foundation, 1993.

Challenge: The South Dakota Story. Sioux Falls, S.D.: Brevet Press, 1975.

A Commitment to Care: The First 100 years of Sacred Heart Hospital, 1897-1997. Mission Hill, S.D.: Dakota Homestead Publishers, 1997.

Doctors of the Old West: A Pictorial History of Medicine on the Frontier. Seattle, Wash.: Superior Pub. Co. 1967.

Douglas County: “The Little Giant.” Armour, S.D.: Douglas County Historical Society, 1983.

“E.G., “Inventor by Necessity: The Story of E. G. Melroe and the Melroe Company. Aberdeen, S.D., North Plains Press, 1968.

Everything’s Green … but My Thumb.  Aberdeen, S.D., North Plains Press, 1971.

Flight of Eagles: The Story of the American Kosciuszko Squadron in the Polish-Russian War 1919-1920. With Ross S. Fenn. Sioux Falls, S.D.: Brevet Press, 1974.

From Quill to Computer: The Story of America’s Community Newspapers. N.p.: National Newspaper Foundation, 1985.

George Washington: Northwest City Builder, Chicago, Ill., Johnson Publishing, 1963

The Golfer’s Good Book. Mission Hill, S.D.: Dakota Homestead Publishers, 1991.

An Historic Sampler of Davison County. Virginia Beach, Va.: Donning Co., 1993.

Joe Floyd : A Helluva Salesman. Mission Hill, S.D., Dakota Homestead, 1990.

Kemper Freeman, Sr., and the Bellevue Story. Mission Hill, S.D.: Homestead Publishers, 1984.

Newspapering in the Old West; A Pictorial History of Journalism and Printing on the Frontier. Seattle, Superior Pub. Co., 1965.

Old-time Agriculture in the Ads: Being a Compendium of Magazine and Newspaper Sales Literature, Reminiscent of the Days When Farming Was a Way of Life, and Horsepower Came in Horses. Aberdeen, S.D.: North Plains Press, 1970.

Old-time Autos in the Ads: Being a Hodge-podge of Automotive Memorabilia. Yankton, S.D.: Homestead Publishers, 1973.

Paper Mountain: The Story of Frank Osgood Butler. Brookings, S.D.: F.O. Butler Foundation,  1980.

Pioneer Church in a Pioneer City: The Story of Sacred Heart Parish, Yankton, South Dakota, 1871-1971. Aberdeen, S.D., North Plains Press, 1971.

The Prairie is My Garden: The Story of Harvey Dunn. Aberdeen, S.D.: North Plains Press, 1969.

Public Relations: Rx for the Health Care Team. Saint Louis, Mo: Catholic Health Association of the United States, 1983.

Tears in My Horseradish: Being a Collection of Columns by Bob Karolevitz with Photographic Embellishments by Bernie Hunhoff, Jr.  Gayville, S.D.: The Observer, 1983.

The 25^th Infantry Division and World War II. Baton Rouge, La: Army & Navy Publishing, 1946.

They Always Called Him Coach: A Biography of Carl Ivan Youngworth. Mission Hills, S.D.: Dakota Homestead Publishers, 1993.

This Was Pioneer Motoring: An Album of Nostalgic Automemorablia. Seattle, Wash., Superior Pub. Co. 1968.

This Was Trucking: A Pictorial History of the First Quarter Century of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Seattle, Wash., Superior Pub. Co., 1966.

Torchy! : The Biography and Reminiscences of Roscoe C. Torrance. Mission Hill, S.D., Dakota Homestead Publishers, 1988.

Toulouse the Goose and Other Ridiculous Stories: A Collection of Columns by Bob Karolevitz, with Fun Photography by Bernie Hunhoff, Jr., and Dave Dringman. Yankton, S.D.: Missouri Valley Observer, 1985.

Uniquely South Dakota. With Bernie Hunhoff, Jr. Norfolk, Va.: Donning Co., 1988.

Where Your Heart Is: The Story of Harvey Dunn, Artist. Aberdeen, S.D.: North Plains Press, 1970.

With a Shirt Tail Full of Type: The Story of Newspapering in South Dakota, N.p.: South Dakota Press Association, 1982.

With Faith, Hope and Tenacity: The First One Hundred Years of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, 1889-1989. Mission Hill, S.D.: Dakota Homestead Publishers, 1989.

Yankton: A Pioneer Past. Aberdeen, S.D.: North Plains Press, 1972. Rev. etc., Mission Hill, S.D.: Dakota Homestead Publishers, 1997.

Yankton: The way It Was: Being a Collection of Historical Columns. Yankton, S.D.: Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan, 1998.

Yankton College: A Continuing Story. Mission Hill, S.D., Dakota Homestead Publishers, 2003.

Yesterday’s Motorcycles. Mission Hill, S.D.: Homestead Publishers, 1986.

SCOPE and CONTENTS NOTE

The papers of Robert F. Karolevitz (1922-) span the years 1833-2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1910-1999. The papers are organized in the following series: Personal Files, Professional Files, and Research Files.

The Personal Files series (MA 39.1) spans the years 1894-2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1968-1981. The papers are organized in the following subseries: Audiovisual Material, Awards and Recognition, Clubs and Organizations, Committees and Boards, Correspondence, Education, Ephemera and Collected Material, Family, Financial and Legal, and Other Interests and Activities. The bulk of this series is composed of material relating to personal areas of Karolevitz’s life not directly related with his professional writing career. The exception to this would be the correspondence series which is composed of material related to both his professional and personal life and includes correspondence with family members and friends.

The Audiovisual material sub-series is composed of two audio cassettes that consist of radio interviews of Karolevitz by King Radio in Seattle, Washington and KYNT Radio of Yankton, South Dakota. Also included is a micro-audio cassette that is unidentifiable. This material is arranged alphabetically by title.

The awards and recognition sub-series is composed of awards, certificates of appreciation and other items related to recognizing Karolevitz for his work. Material includes certificates of appreciation, appreciation for participation, plaques, etc. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order. The oversize material has been separated and is arranged according to size.

The clubs and organizations sub-series is composed of material collected by Karolevitz as a result of his membership in various clubs and organizations, including the National Newspaper Association and the Seattle (Washington) Advertising Club. Folders contain clippings, correspondence, photographs, minutes, directories, newsletters, photographs, and handwritten notes. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The committees and boards sub-series is composed of files related to committees and boards on which Karolevitz served, including the Benedictine Health Foundation, the Health Services Center Building Utilization and Planning Committee, the Lewis & Clark Health Education and Service Agency, the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Advisory Council, the Ruth School for Girls, Sacred Heart Hospital, Shared Resources, Inc., the SDSU Alumni Association, the South Dakota Hall of Fame, the South Dakota Health Services Agency, the South Dakota Hospital Association, the South Dakota State Historical Society, the South Dakota Regional Medical Programs/ Community Health Programs (RMP/CHP) Advisory Group, the South Dakota State Historical Society, the Yankton Area Health Education Center, the Yankton (S.D.) Chamber of Commerce, and the Yankton County Historical Society and Old Settlers Association. Folders contain agendas, minutes, annual reports, correspondence, clippings, photographs, and speeches. The subseries are arranged alphabetically. Folders within each subseries are arranged in alphabetical order and thereunder chronologically. Oversize material has been separated and is arranged according to size.

The correspondence sub-series is composed of professional and personal correspondence. Folders contain letters to and from friends, business associates, and research sources, as well as invitations to speak, correspondence with researchers, and book orders. Much of the correspondence consists of letters from correspondents and includes Karolevitz’s response. Karolevitz utilized various filing schemes in filing correspondence: alphabetical, chronological, active, and deceased. The processor chose the arrangement based on the bulk of the material. This series is minimally processed in that the correspondence has been sorted by year only. Material within each folder has not been arranged any further. Folders are arranged in chronological order.

The education sub-series is composed of material related to Karolevitz’s work as an instructor at Mount Marty College and the University of Washington as well as workshops presented by Karolevitz, and course work completed by Karolevitz as a student. Folders contain course material, schedules, correspondence, clippings, and material related to Karolevitz’s academic career and includes notes and course work. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The ephemera and collected material sub-series is composed of various ephemera and collected material that did not fit into any other subgroups or series, but had intrinsic value to the collection. Folders contain a variety of materials including clippings about Karolevitz, business cards, name tags, signs, and other similar material. Also included is the typewriter Karolevitz used to write his many books, articles and columns. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The family sub-series is composed of correspondence with family members: Phyllis, Jan, Jill, Frank, and Ruth Hagen Karolevitz. Folders contain letters, greeting cards, clippings, and photographs. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The financial and legal sub-series is composed of materials related to financial and legal matters, including property, stocks, and insurance. Folders contain insurance policies, mortgage and contracts for deed, abstracts for title of property, stock holder information, and vehicle information, including loans, insurance and licensing. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The other interests and activities sub-series is composed of files for activities in which Karolevitz was involved including church membership, college alumni material, and projects in which Karolevitz had some involvement. Folders contain correspondence and clippings. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The Professional Files series (MA 39.2) spans the years 1947-2002, with the bulk of the material dating from 1960-1969. The papers are organized in the following subseries: Articles, Books and Manuscripts, Business, Columns, Commercial Writing and Advertising, Military Writings, Other Material Related to Writings, Other Writings, Political Ghostwriting, Publishers, and Speeches. This series consists of material created by Karolevitz during his career. Included are articles that were published in various periodicals, manuscripts and other material related to books written by Karolevitz, columns written for several different newspapers, commercial writing and advertising material, political ghostwriting material and speech files. Also included is material related to publishers, other writings, and other material related to writings, such as layout material, rejection slips, and catalogs that listed his books for sale.

Karolevitz wrote well over 1,000 articles during his career. This articles sub-series is composed of many of those articles and their original manuscripts. The published article title may differ from the original manuscript title. In order to maintain consistency, articles were filed by the original manuscript title. Articles for which no original manuscript was located are filed by published article title. Manuscripts for the articles are annotated by Karolevitz as to which periodical the article was submitted to and whether the manuscript was accepted or rejected. Some folders contain more that one draft of the manuscript. Also included is correspondence, clips of the published articles, photographs, and illustrations. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order by manuscript title. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order by manuscript title.

The books and manuscripts sub-series is composed of manuscripts and books written by Karolevitz. Titles include:

• Bishop Martin Marty: The Black Robe Lean Chief

• Challenge: The South Dakota story

• A Commitment to Care: The First 100 Years of Sacred Heart Hospital, 1897-1997

• Doctors of the Old West: A Pictorial History of Medicine on the Frontier

• Douglas County: “The Little Giant”

• ’E.G.”, Inventor by Necessity: The Story of E.G. Melroe and the Melroe Company

• Everything’s Green … but My Thumb!

• Flight of Eagles: The Story of the American Kościuszko Squadron in the Polish-Russian War 1919-1920

• From Quill to Computer: The Story of America’s Community Newspapers

• An Historic Sampler of Davison County

• Kemper Freeman, Sr., and the Bellevue Story

• Newspapering in the Old West: A Pictorial History of Journalism and Printing on the Frontier

• Old-time Agriculture in the Ads: Being a Compendium of Magazine and Newspaper Sales Literature, Reminiscent of the Days When Farming Was a Way of Life, and Horsepower Came in Horses

• Old-time Autos in the Ads: Being a Hodge-Podge of Automotive Memorabilia

• Paper Mountain: The Story of Frank Osgood Butler

• Pioneer Church in a Pioneer City: The Story of Sacred Heart Parish, Yankton, South Dakota, 1871-1971

• The Prairie is My Garden: The Story of Harvey Dunn

• Public Relations: Rx for the Health Care Team

• Tears in My Horseradish: Being a Collection of Columns

• This Was Pioneer Motoring: An Album of Nostalgic Automemorabilia

• This Was Trucking: A Pictorial History of the First Quarter Century of Commercial Motor Vehicles

• Torchy: The Biography and Reminiscences of Roscoe C. Torrance

• Toulouse the Goose and Other Ridiculous Stories: A Collection of Columns

• Where Your Heart Is: The Story of Harvey Dunn, Artist

• With a Shirt Tale Full of Type: The Story of Newspapering in South Dakota

• With Faith, Hope and Tenacity: The First One Hundred Tears of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, 1889-1989

• Yankton: A Pioneer Past

• Yankton: The Way it Was: Being a Collection of Historical Columns

• Yesterday’s Motorcycles

• Unpublished manuscripts and other projects

Folders contain a wide variety of documents including books, proofs, galleys, layout material and manuscripts for individual books, material related to the creation of brochures and dust jackets for the books, and photographs and illustrations for the books (both used and unused), as well as some compiled research. Many items include Karolevitz’s comments. Also included is correspondence with publishers, and promotion and reviews for the books. Because research material was scattered throughout the collection it is suggested that researchers also consult the research subgroup of this collection (MA 39.3). The subseries are arranged alphabetically. Folders within each subseries are arranged alphabetical order and thereunder chronologically. Oversize material has been separated and is arranged according to size.

The business sub-series is composed of material dealing with printing business owned by Karolevitz including Hollybrook Farm Press in Washington and The Homestead Books ‘n Gifts in Yankton, SD. Folders contain correspondence and tax registration information. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The columns sub- series is composed of newspaper columns written by Karolevitz for several different newspapers, including the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, the Grant County Review, and Vermillion Plain Talk. Folders contain clippings of the columns. Also included in this series are column ideas and a list of column records that list the newspaper for which columns were written, the date published and the title of the column. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order and there under chronologically.

The commercial writing and advertising sub-series is composed of copywriting, advertising, public relations and consultant work that Karolevitz performed for various companies and individuals. Folders include original copywriting material, articles, correspondence with the companies and individuals, scripts, reports, newsletters, and photographs. Also included are examples of the completed work. A large portion of the material in this series deals with Karolevitz’s work as a freelance promoter and publicist for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The military writings sub-series is composed of material written by Karolevitz and submitted as Captain R. F. Karolevitz during his military service. Most are articles about the Korean War. Folders include original manuscripts, clippings and correspondence. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The other material related to writings sub-series is composed of miscellaneous materials related to the writing of Karolevitz. Folders include rejection letters and slips, layout material, sources for layout material, catalogs that listed his books for sale, as well as ideas for future projects. Folders are in alphabetical order.

The other writings sub-series is composed of other writing created by Karolevitz that did not fit into other series, such as contest submissions, music and lyrics and some consultant work. Folders include submissions to a Burma Shave sign contest, sheet music and lyrics, a Reader’s Digest joke contribution, a U.S. history project, and a curriculum project for the state of South Dakota. Folders are in alphabetical order.

The political ghostwriting sub-series is composed of material written for political leaders and celebrities, mainly in the Seattle, Washington area. Folders contain articles, stories, reports, scripts, correspondence, clippings and photographs. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The publishers sub-series is composed mainly of correspondence with various publishers with which Karolevitz dealt.  Folders include correspondence, book orders, book promotion, copyright and financial files. Folders are in alphabetical order.

The speeches sub-series is composed of speeches written and given by Karolevitz for high school commencement exercises, and at banquets, conventions, and conferences on topics related to his work. Folders include typed copy of speeches, which include the name of the organization or event, and the date of the event. Some folders may include programs from the event, clippings related to the event, and photographs. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order and there under chronologically.

The Research Files series (MA 39.3) spans the years 1833-2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1910-1999. The papers are organized in the following subseries: Automotive, Catholic Church, General Topics, Journalism, Kościuszko Squadron, Medicine, Persons, South Dakota, State Capitols (U.S.) and Photographs. This sub-group is composed of material collected by Karolevitz relating either directly to research for books and articles that he wrote or material that was of interest to him. Material consists mainly of clippings of newspapers and magazine articles, publications, booklets, brochures, pamphlets, photographs and illustrations, correspondence, notes written by Karolevitz and other miscellaneous collected material. Many folders contain only one or a few items.

The automotive sub-series is composed of material related to automobiles, motorcycles, tractors, and trucks. Folders contain illustrations, clippings, articles, postcards, publications, advertising, booklets, brochures, pamphlets, photographs and other collected material. Many folders contain only one or a few items. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subseries. Folders within each subseries are arranged alphabetically and there under chronologically.

The Catholic Church sub-series is composed of material about the Catholic Church, mainly the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls. Folders contain clippings, correspondence, histories, photographs, anniversary and dedication booklets, and directories. Also included is a large amount of material dealing with Sacred Heart Parish in Yankton, South Dakota. Folders containing material about the Catholic Diocese are listed with the location of the parish first followed by the name of the church. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order by folder title.  Folders containing material about the Catholic Diocese are listed with the location of the parish first followed by the name of the church.

The general topics sub-series is composed of collected material on general topics relating directly to research for articles and books that Karolevitz wrote or material that was of interest to him. Folders contain correspondence, clippings, and photographs. Some items of note include advertisements for Coca-Cola from the early 1900s, and a pamphlet on Communism in the U.S.A. prepared in 1948 by the Committee on Un-American Activities. Many of the clippings are from periodicals such as Readers Digest, National Geographic, and Smithsonian. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The journalism sub-series is composed of material related to areas of journalism including advertising, newspapers, and press associations that was most likely used in writing “From Quill to Computer: The Story of American’s Community Newspapers,” “Newspapering in the Old West; A Pictorial History of Journalism and Printing on the Frontier,” and “With a Shirt Tail Full of Type: The Story of Newspapering in South Dakota.” Folders contain correspondence, clippings, and photographs. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subseries. Folders within each subseries are arranged alphabetically and there under chronologically.

The Kościuszko Squadron sub-series is composed of research dealing with the American Kościuszko Squadron in the Polish-Russian War. This material was compiled by Karolevitz for his book “Flight of Eagles: The Story of the American Kościuszko Squadron in the Polish-Russian War 1919-1920.” Folders contain clippings, correspondence, and photographs. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

The medicine sub-series is composed of material dealing with medicine including general topics and Sacred Heart Hospital of Yankton, South Dakota. The general topics material consists of research about medicine and was most likely used in writing “Doctor’s of the Old West”. The Sacred Heart Hospital material consists of research about the Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota and was used in writing “A Commitment to care: The First 100 years of Sacred Heart Hospital, 1897-1997.” Folders contain clippings, correspondence, notes and photographs. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subseries. Folders within each subseries are arranged alphabetically and there under chronologically.

The Persons sub-series is composed of material related to  Bishop Martin Marty, E.G. Melroe, F.O. Butler, Harvey Dunn, Kemper Freeman, and U.S. Presidents. Folders contain research and notes, clippings, articles, and photographs. The Kemper Freeman series also includes material about Bellevue, Washington. An item of note can be found in the Presidents (U.S.) material in the George Washington file. This file includes an 1885 clipping about dedication of Washington Monument. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subseries. Folders within each subseries are arranged alphabetically and there under chronologically.

The South Dakota sub-series is composed of material related to South Dakota including colleges and universities, counties, general topics, governors, Native Americans, persons, and religion. Material in this series was most likely used in writing “Challenge: the South Dakota story” as well as other South Dakota related works by Karolevitz. Folders contain material on the history of South Dakota and consist of clippings, photographs, and correspondence. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subseries. Folders within each subseries are arranged alphabetically and there under chronologically.

The state capitols (U.S.) sub-series is composed of material about United States capitols. Folders are arranged according to state name and contain articles, clippings, articles, maps, brochures, pamphlets, and photographs. Also included is other information about the state. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order by state.

The photographs sub-series is composed of photographs that were found loose in the collection. Images consist of a wide range of subjects.

ARRANGEMENT of the PAPERS

The Robert F. Karolevitz Papers are arranged into three series; Personal Files, Professional Files, and Research Files, and there under into sub-series.

SERIES 1:      PERSONAL FILES [MA 39.1]

Audiovisual Material

Box 1. 

Awards and Recognition

Box 1.

Box 2.

Box 51. 

Clubs and Organizations

Box 2.

Box 52.

Committees and Boards

Benedictine Health Foundation

Box 2.

Health Services Center Building Utilization and Planning Committee (State of SD)

Box 3.

Lewis & Clark Health Education and Service Agency

Box 3.

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Advisory Council

Box 3.

Ruth School for Girls

Box 3.

Sacred Heart Hospital

Box 3.

SDSU Alumni Association

Box 4.

Shared Resources, Inc.

Box 4.

South Dakota Hall of Fame

Box 4.

South Dakota Health Services Agency

Box 4.

Box 51.

South Dakota Hospital Association

Box 4.

South Dakota Regional Medical Programs/Community Health Programs

Box 4.

South Dakota State Historical Society

Box 4.

Box 5.

Yankton Area Health Education Center (in association with USD)

Box 5.

Yankton (S.D.) Chamber of Commerce

Box 5.

Yankton County Historical Society and Old Settlers Association

Box 5.

Correspondence

Box 5.

Box 6.

Box 7.

Box 8.

Education

Box 9.

Ephemera and Collection Material

Box 9.

Box 11.

Box 50.

Box 53.

Family

Box 9.

Box 10.

Financial and Legal

Box 10.

Box 50.

Other Interests and Activities

Box 10.

SERIES 2:      Professional Files [MA 39.2]

Articles

Box 12.