This oral history interview with Freeman Holmer was conducted by Michael O’Rourke from May 17-24, 1988, as part of the Senator Mark O. Hatfield Oral History Project. The interview was conducted in two sessions. A transcript is available.

In the first interview session, conducted on May 17, 1988, Holmer briefly discusses his family background and early life in the Midwest, including his college experience, his World War II service, and his early political beliefs. He discusses teaching political science at Willamette University from 1949 to 1959, and meeting fellow faculty member Mark Hatfield. He talks about Hatfield’s friendship with Travis Cross, Hatfield’s spirituality, and his own involvement with the Republican Party. He discusses Hatfield’s campaign for Oregon secretary of state; talks about serving as director of elections from 1957 to 1959; and describes other members of Hatfield’s staff. He then talks about Hatfield’s campaign for Oregon governor; about his own service as director of the Department of Finance and Administration from 1959 to 1966; and about Hatfield’s staff. He also talks about Hatfield’s marriage to Antoinette Kuzmanich. He talks about Hatfield’s agenda as governor, particularly government reorganization, and about Hatfield’s emergency response to a flood in 1964.

In the second interview session, conducted on May 24, 1988, Holmer discusses Hatfield’s relationship with other prominent Oregon politicians, including Tom McCall, as well as members of the business community. He discusses Hatfield’s position on some controversial issues, particularly the Vietnam War. He then describes his own efforts toward Oregon’s economic development; Hatfield’s keynote address at the 1964 Republican National Convention; and attending governors’ conferences. Holmer then discusses his activities since leaving Hatfield’s staff when Hatfield was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1966. He talks about serving as director of environmental protection for the state of Wisconsin from 1966 to 1968. He closes the interview by discussing his continued relationship with Hatfield.