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Benkie, Dee Dee, 2001 - 2005

 File — Box: 7, Folder: 1

Scope and Content

From the Collection:

This collection contains the papers of William Dale Parker (1925-2007), management specialist on NASA's Project Gemini from 1964 to 1969; engineer with General Motors and General Dynamics; writer; businessman; and self-described political advisor, expert on human relations, and genius. The collection includes such materials as correspondence, memorabilia, printed materials, photographs, and scrapbooks.

Contained within the collection is very little about Parker's work on Gemini, the focus instead being largely on documenting Parker's personal life and his other interests: writing and lecturing, volunteer/humanitarian activities, politics, and business. Parker was meticulous about collecting the minutiae relating to all his personal life and chronicling all of his activities in photographs, memoirs, and scrapbooks.

The collection also includes a series of materials relating to the life and career of his youngest daugher, Jacquelyn S. "Jackie" Parker, holder of a number of firsts for women in aviation, including the first female graduate of the U. S. Air Force Test Pilot School. Also included is a series of correspondence from Parker's pen pals residing in former Soviet states soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Dates

  • Other: 2001 - 2005

Creator

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 21.8 Cubic Feet (15 boxes)

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308