Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Theodoratus (Professor Robert J.) papers
TSAK 2020/03
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Theodoratus (Professor Robert J.) papers
Identifier/Call Number: TSAK 2020/03
Physical Description:
1.75 Linear Feet
(1 record carton, 1 manuscript box)
Date (inclusive): 1924-2015
Date (bulk): 1950-1980
Abstract: Contains files pertaining to Robert J. Theodoratus' time as a professor of anthropology at Colorado State University. The
majority of the collection focuses on his studies of Father Stephanos Phoutrides. Files include personal notebooks, correspondence,
paper drafts, research material, and cassette tapes. Materials are in English and Modern Greek. 1924-2015
Language of Material:
English
, Greek, Modern (1453-)
.
Collection consists of archival material from Prof. Robert J. Theodoratus' tenure as a professor of anthropology at Colorado
State University. The collection's primary focus is on Father Stephanos Phoutrides, with smaller focuses on the Greek community
of Tacoma, Washington and Greek cuisine and foodways. The collection consists of 1.75 linear feet (1 record carton, 1 manuscript
carton) of personal notebooks, correspondence, paper drafts, research material, and cassette tapes. The languages of the collection
are English and Modern Greek. The dates of this collection range from 1924-2015 and reflect the Greek experience in the United
States during the mid-20th century.
Several subject areas are represented within the collection. Greek Cuisine (Series 1) contains information on Greek culinary
activity in the United States. The collection also includes information regarding the Greek community and Greek Orthodox Church
in Tacoma, Washington (Series 2). This series contains information on different churches as well as field notes for research
on Father Stephanos Phoutrides. The series on Father Stephanos Phoutrides (Series 3) contains detailed interview notes, correspondence,
research files, and more pertaining to his life to be used in a publication planned by Prof. Theodoratus. Audio/visual material
(Series 4) contains cassette tapes of oral interviews with family and friends of Father Phoutrides in 1976. There is also
a recording of an Easter Sunday Service conducted by Father Phoutrides in 1944.
Books from Theodoratus' library have been cataloged and are avaialable outside of these papers.
This collection is part of the Tsakopoulos Hellenic Collection within the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University
Archives.
Collection is open to research. Some restrictions may apply.
No accruals are expected.
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce
from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives.
Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives,
as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained
by the researcher.
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], TSAK 2020/03, Professor Robert J. Theodoratus Collection, Donald
& Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives, California State University, Sacramento.
Professor Robert James Theodoratus (1928-2019) lived a life dedicated to his work and community. Born into a mixed family
of English and Greek ancestry, Robert liked to compare his heritage to the growth of America. In 1961, he earned a Ph.D. in
anthropology from the University of Washington with a dissertation on the Greeks of Tacoma, Washington, entitled "The Influence
of the Homeland on the Social Organization of a Greek Community in America". During his time as a doctoral student Robert
met Kathleen Uribe (1934- 2021), an activist from Sacramento with similar interests in anthropology. They married on August
11th, 1962 and had three children together: Sarah, Mia, and Demetri. He began teaching anthropology at Colorado State University
in 1966 and would remain there until his retirement in 1998. During his tenure at Colorado State University, Robert served
as a general editor of the series
Immigrant Communities & Ethnic Minorities in the United States and Canada, published by AMS Press, which emphasized the power that small ethnic communities have to effect social change. He also authored
multiple publications including "Europe: A Selected Ethnographic Bibliography" (1969) and "A Greek Community in America: Tacoma
Washington" (1971). Robert also spent time conducting research for a publication on Stephanos Phoutrides (1891-1946), a priest
in the Greek Orthodox Church considered controversial in his time but now seen as pioneering. Robert was also interested in
Greek cuisine and foodways and how immigrant culinary practices changed upon living in the US. Robert passed away on August
22nd, 2019.
Robert James Theodoratus Obituary: https://www.goesfuneralcare.com/obituaries/Robert-Theodoratus/#!/Obituary
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Professor Robert J. Theodoratus Collection was donated in 2020.
Tsakopoulos Hellenic Collection
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Greek Americans
Cooking, Greek; Food habits—Greece; Food habits—United States
Orthodox Eastern Church—Washington (State)—Tacoma
Washington (State)—Tacoma