Terry Oehler Journals
Finding aid created by James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Francisco Public Library. James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
2016
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
http://sfpl.org/gaylesbian
Title: Terry Oehler Journals
Dates: 1979-2005
Collection Number: GLC 64
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 3 boxes (15 journals + 5 folders)
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: Oehler was a librarian and former lawyer who lived in the San Francisco bay area. He was a gay man who loved bridge, chess,
travel, and genealogy. His meticulously detailed diaries provide a glimpse of his life.
Language of Material: English
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Terry Oehler Journals. San Francisco Public Library. James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
Donated by Terry Oehler in 2005.
Biography/Administrative History
Terry D. Oehler was born on June 30, 1940, in Newton, Iowa, the son of Charles and Myra (Awtry) Oehler. He lived most of his
early life in Newton and graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1958. That same year, he enrolled at Harvard and graduated
with honors with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He then attended Stanford University and graduated from law school
in 1965. He practiced law for national and international firms, primarily in Arizona, California and Germany, until his semiretirement
circa 1995, as senior regional counsel for Legal Services Corp. in San Francisco. Following that, he pursued his love of learning
in his position of government information librarian at the San Francisco Public Library. He was an avid chess and bridge player,
a dog lover, an amateur photographer, as well as the family genealogist. He was very detail-oriented and his travel journals
and diaries are meticulous. He died of a malignant brain tumor on November 7, 2005.
Scope and Content of Collection
Oehler's meticulously detailed diaries provide a glimpse of his activities and thoughts. References include: bridge, chess,
travel, and genealogy. The Lifedex is a partial index to his journals.