Oral history interview with Samuel L. Diack

Collection

Identifier: SR 9428

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Samuel L. Diack was conducted by Charles Digregorio at Diack’s home in Portland, Oregon, on May 6, 1976, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library’s oral history program.

In this interview, Diack discusses his family background and shares his reasons for pursuing a career as a physician. He shares his experiences as a medical student, discusses his reasons for moving to Portland, Oregon, in 1932, and talks about how the medical field has changed since he began practicing. He speaks at length about his service as president of the board of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and about the construction of the museum building in Southeast Portland. He then discusses his retirement activities, including traveling the world by ship and serving on the board of the Oregon Graduate Center. He closes the interview by talking about prominent Portlanders he was acquainted with.

Dates

1976 May 6

Creator

Diack, Samuel L. (Samuel Lotta), 1903-1977 (Interviewee, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the estate of Samuel L. Diack. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/

Biographical note

Samuel Lotta Diack was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1903. In 1925, he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He then earned a degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. In 1932, he came to Portland, Oregon, to study surgery at St. Vincent’s Hospital. During World War II, he served in the Army Medical Corps. He was a professor at the University of Oregon Medical School. He was president of the board of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. He married three times and had four children. After he retired in 1960, he continued to serve on the boards of several medical and educational organizations. Diack died in 1977.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 audiocassette (57 min., 22 sec.))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Samuel L. Diack conducted by Charles Digregorio on May 6, 1976. Diack discusses his service as president of the board of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.