Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

MS 8
William J. Reichardt (1930-2004)
Papers, 1961-1970, n.d.


Descriptive summary

creator:

Reichardt, William J. (1930-2004)

title:

Papers

dates:

1961-1970, n.d.

extent:

2.52 linear feet (6 document boxes)

collection number:

MS 8

repository:

Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

William J. Reichardt Papers, MS 8, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

Born to Herb Reichardt on June 24, 1930, William "Bill" Reichardt attended Iowa City public schools until his graduation in 1948. In recognition for his high school football exploits, Reichardt received a place on the All-State football team in 1946 and 1947. Continuing to play football, he received All-American honors while at the University of Iowa in addition to a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics (1952).

After graduation, Reichardt spent one season with the Green Bay Packers and then joined the Air Force, where he served as a First Lieutenant for two years during the Korean War. He founded Reichardt's Inc.--a chain of men's clothing stores--and has been very active in community affairs. In addition, Reichardt started the Little All-American Football League in Des Moines and coached for 30 years.

In 1964 Reichardt was elected to the Iowa State Legislature where he served Polk County for two years in the Iowa House of Representatives; in 1966 won election to the Iowa State Senate, where he served four years. During his tenure in state government Reichardt sponsored the bill to resume an annual Iowa – Iowa State football game.

In 1994, Reichardt was a democratic candidate for governor during the primary elections and in 1999 he circulated a petition to become a mayoral candidate for the City of Des Moines, but did not pursue the position. Instead, he and his son, Douglas Reinhardt began work on a project to develop a special truancy school to help troubled youth.

 

Collection description

The collection includes correspondence, research material, and newspaper clippings concerning Reichardt's four-year tenure as a state Senator-1966-1970. The correspondence is arranged topically. The research materials are, in part, compilations of the data, legislative bills, and general information to provide background on an issue. The newspaper clippings include material sent to Reichardt by his constituency, his colleagues, or saved by his staff, and they cover both political and personal topics.

 

 

Description of series

Series 1

Correspondence and research material

1961-1970, n.d.

extent:

5 document boxes and 1 folder

description:

Correspondence and research material used by Reichardt during his term as a state senator.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Abortion

1969-1970, n.d.

1

2

Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

1969, n.d.

1

3

American Republic Assurance Company

1968-1970,

1

4

Assessors

1967-1970, n.d.

1

5

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

1969-1970, n.d.

1

6

Child Molesting

1963-1969, n.d.

1

7

Chiropractic

1969, n.d.

1

8

Conservation and Recreation

1968-1970, n.d.

1

9

Correctional Institutions

1969-1970

2

1

Education (includes Colleges and Secondary Schools)

1967-1970, n.d.

2

2

Education (includes Colleges and Secondary Schools)

1967-1970, n.d.

2

3

Educational Television and Radio

1967-1970, n.d.

2

4

Educational Television and Radio

1967-1970

2

5

Environmental Problems

1969-1970, n.d.

2

6

Form Letters

1969-1970, n.d.

2

7

Health

1969, n.d.

3

1

Legislative Reform

1969-1970, n.d.

3

2

'Letters to Colleagues'

1970, n.d.

3

3

Liquor Control

1968-1970

3

4

Lobbyists

1970

3

5

Minors

1969-1970

3

6

Nursing Homes

1970, n.d.

3

7

Personal Correspondence

1968-1970, n.d.

3

8

Police, Crime, and Delinquency

1968-1970

3

9

Police, Crime, and Delinquency

1953-1970, n.d.

4

1

Politics

1969-1970

4

2

Sex Education

1968-1969, n.d.

4

3

Speeches

1968-1970, n.d.

4

4

Speeches

1967-1970, n.d.

4

5

Sports (includes Iowa High School Athletic Association; Evashevski controversies)

1967-1970, n.d.

4

6

Sports (includes Iowa High School Athletic Association; Evashevski controversies)

1967-1970, n.d.

4

7

State Officials and Employees

1969-1970, n.d.

4

8

Sunday Closing Laws

1969-1970, n.d.

4

9

Sunday Closing Laws

1970, n.d.

5

1

Taxes

1968-1970, n.d.

5

2

Taxes

1966-1970, n.d.

5

3

Taxes

1969, n.d.

5

4

Taxes

1965-1970, n.d.

5

5

Taxes

1968-1970, n.d.

5

6

Transportation

1968-1970, n.d.

6

1

Transportation

1961-1970, n.d.

 

Description of series

Series 2

News clippings

1964-1970, n.d.

extent:

2 folders

description:

News clippings regarding miscellaneous Legislative and personal concerns.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

6

2

News clippings - miscellaneous Legislative and personal concerns

1964-1970, n.d.

6

3

News clippings - miscellaneous Legislative and personal concerns

1966-1970, n.d.

 

Description of series

Series 3

Legislative correspondence

1967-1970, n.d.

extent:

2 folders

description:

Legislative correspondence - miscellaneous

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

6

4

Legislative correspondence - miscellaneous

1967-1969, n.d.

6

5

Legislative correspondence - miscellaneous

1969-1970, n.d.