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Legler family papers

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS 1360

Overview

The Legler family collection contains plans, correspondence, and topographical maps detailing father Harry's summit of Mt. Whitney, California in 1957 with son Jean to conduct the first ham radio transmission from that elevation, which is the highest in the continental United States. Harry Legler went on to transmit from the lowest point in the U.S. in Death Valley in 1963, becoming the first radio operator to transmit from both locations. The collection also includes Dr. Jean F. Legler's curriculum vitae, his draft board correspondence from the 1960s, and a scrapbook his daughter created for his 70th birthday in 2003.

Dates

  • Creation: 1940 - 2003

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of the Legler family

Joergens and Bertha Legler individually immigrated to the United States in 1892-1893 from Germany, marrying in 1896 and settling in Hiawatha, Kansas. The Leglers had six children, including Harry E. Joergens passed away between 1908-1910. Harry married Elnora Kruse and they had two sons, Jean F. and Warren K. Legler.

Jean was born May 26, 1933, and played football at Hiawatha High School in the late 1940s. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor's in Psychology in 1955, and went on to the University of Kansas Medical School, graduating in 1959. Dr. Legler specialized in cardiology and practiced medicine for 49 years. He died on March 22, 2009 in Topeka, Kan.

Warren K. Legler, elder brother, also attended KU, earning a Bachelor's in physics. He earned a Master's from MIT, and returned to KU where he earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. He was a faculty member at KU in Computer Science, and worked in the military and private sector during his career. Like his father, Warren has been active in ham radio.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 box + 3 oversize folders + 1 oversize box )

Language of Materials

English

Physical Location

RH MS 1360

Physical Location

RH MS Q395

Physical Location

RH MS Q396

Physical Location

RH MS R374

Physical Location

RH MS S40

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, Warren K. Legler, 2009

Source

Title
Guide to the Legler family collection
Subtitle
Legler family papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by msb. Finding aid encoded by msb.
Date
2015-04-27
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/4300341331
Preferred citation
Legler Family Collection, RH MS 1360, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334