University of Oklahoma Libraries Western History Collections Robert S. Kerr, Jr., Collection Kerr, Robert S., Jr. (1926–2004). Papers, 1927–2003. 17 feet. Attorney. Papers (1927–2003) of Oklahoma City civic leader and attorney Robert S. Kerr, Jr., regarding management of water resources in Oklahoma. The collection contains primarily correspondence and reports (1944–1990) of various water resource organizations, including the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Water Development Foundation of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Water, Inc., the Arkansas Basin Development Association, and the National Waterways Conference, Inc. Scope and Content Note: The Robert S. Kerr, Jr. Papers are comprised of 17 cubic feet of materials arranged into eleven series. These series contain documents that detail activities and functions of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Oklahoma Water, Incorporated, the Water Development Foundation, other organizations that Bob Kerr was involved with, and financial documents of the various agencies with which Bob worked. The papers in this collection consist of correspondence, speeches, position papers, water research studies, publications, newspaper articles, and financial documents all pertaining to his long service to water conservation agencies in the state of Oklahoma. The first series of the collection is the Oklahoma Water Resources Board series, which includes water plans and studies for the state of Oklahoma, annual reports, information pamphlets concerning water projects, project reports, environmental statements, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and newsletters, all created by the Water Resources Board of Oklahoma, the Bureau of the Interior, and other governmental agencies. This series covers a range of dates between 1957- 1981, with each document concerning water issues in Oklahoma, as well as Arkansas and California, whom the Water Resources Board worked with as well as took inspiration from. Some of the correspondence is either written by or addressed to Bob Kerr, but there is also quite a bit of correspondence throughout the collection that is both addressed to and written by Ronn W. Cupp, who was a close friend and colleague of Bob, and a staunch supporter of water rights in Oklahoma. This series is arranged chronologically by box. The range of materials in the series is rather varied, so researchers should consult the finding aid for specific information. The other major series in the collection contains the papers of Oklahoma Water, Incorporated (OWI), of which Bob became president in 1966. This series contains a myriad assortment of correspondence, meeting minutes from OWI, memos, memorandums, fact sheets about water projects, newspaper clippings concerning water issues, resolutions, handwritten notes from meetings, some correspondence and records concerning financials, member lists, voting ballots for OWI, reports to Governor David L. Boren about Oklahoma water issues, position papers, and speeches. These documents range in date from 1969-1981, which spans Bob Kerr’s most active involvement in the organization. The series represents a wide variety of material, so it is recommended that the researcher consult the finding aid for specific materials. There is also 1 overlap in the series with some OWI materials in the financials and some financial records in the OWI series. This series comprises of five boxes. A third important series of the collection contains financial documents pertaining to the Oklahoma Water Development Foundation (WDF) and Oklahoma Water, Incorporated. This series contains mainly handwritten notes, correspondence, memos, and memorandums. The dates present in this series range from 1957 to 1981 and comprises of two boxes. The earliest dates represent Foundation documents before Bob Kerr was majorly involved with the organization. The last series of the collection also contains an intact Financial Ledger that is titled Water Development Journal Sheets and spans the dates from 1960-1972. The collection also contains some photographs, including a publicity still of Bob Kerr and pictures of an OWI meeting that do not feature Bob. There are also three films. The other series present in the collection pertain to The National Waterways Conference, publications, newspaper articles, specific water projects, Oklahoma legislation pertaining to water, The Kerr family, and other organizations with which Bob Kerr was involved. The researcher is advised to consult the item level inventory for a more complete understanding of the papers contained within the collection. The collection provides a unique look into pioneering water conservation agencies in around Oklahoma. Biography: Robert S. Kerr, Jr. (1926-2004), was an Oklahoma City civic leader and attorney who is best known for his lifelong dedication to the development of water resources in Oklahoma. As the eldest of four children born to Grayce Breene Kerr and Oklahoma Governor and Senator Robert S. Kerr, he was raised to value hard work and service to the community. He was educated at the New Mexico Military Institute and the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a law degree in 1955. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine, U.S.N.R., during World War II, and in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He later served in the U.S. Army Reserves, 95th Division Artillery. Mr. Kerr’s distinguished career included a variety of memberships and leadership positions in influential water-related organizations. He served as president of the Water Development Foundation of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Water, Incorporated, and the Oklahoma Water Users Association. He was a member of the Arkansas Basin Development Association, and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. He also served as director of the Kerr-McGee Corporation, and was senior partner of Kerr, Irvine, Rhodes & Ables law firm. He served as chief executive and president of the Kerr Foundation, Inc., which supports educational and cultural institutions in Oklahoma and surrounding states. Mr. Kerr served as a trustee on numerous boards, including Oklahoma City University and the OU Board of Visitors. He received many honors and awards for his lifetime of public service, and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2003. 2 Guide to the Collection: Box 1: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 2: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 3: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 4: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 5: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 6: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 7: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 8: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 9: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 10: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 11: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 12: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 13: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 14: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 15: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Box 16: Publications Box 17: Publications Box 18: Newspaper Articles Box 19: Publications Box 20: Water Projects Box 21: Water Projects Box 22: Water Projects Box 23: Legislation Box 24: Office Equipment Information and Post Office Materials Box 25: The Kerr Family Box 26: Other Organizations Box 27: Other Organizations Box 28: National Waterways Conference, Inc. Box 29: Oklahoma Water, Inc. Box 30: Oklahoma Water, Inc. Box 31: Oklahoma Water, Inc. Box 32: Oklahoma Water, Inc. Box 33: Oklahoma Water, Inc. Box 34: Oklahoma Water, Inc. Box 35: Water Development Foundation of Oklahoma, Inc. Box 36: Water Development Foundation of Oklahoma, Inc. Box 37: Financials I Box 38: Financials II Box 39: Financials III Box 40: Financials IV Box 41: Financials V Box 42: Financials VI 3 Box 43: Financials VII Box 44: Financials VIII Box 45: Financials IX See also: Film and Video Collection 4 Box 1: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Folder: 1. Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Potential Development of Central and Southeastern Oklahoma Based on Water Supply and Navigation. Prepared by Educational and Technical Consultants, Inc., January, 1957. 2. Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Comprehensive Report on the Long Range Water Supply Plan for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Prepared for the Oklahoma City Municipal Improvement Authority, 1967. Four copies. 3. Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Water the Key to Oklahoma Future: Interim Appraisal of Oklahoma Basins Project, Oklahoma. Prepared by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation, October, 1966, revised February, 1967. 4. Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Proceedings: 37th Annual Convention “Water to Advance America”, National Reclamation Association. Prepared by the Oklahoma Water Users Association. Bob Kerr’s copy, November 17-22, 1968. 5. Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Proceedings: 37th Annual Convention “Water to Advance America”, National Reclamation Association. Prepared by the Oklahoma Water Users Association, November 17-22, 1968. 6. Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Water Resource Data for Oklahoma part 2. Water Quality Records. Prepared by U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey, 1969. 7. Oklahoma Water Resources Board. A Study of the Economic Impact of the Hugo Reservoir on Choctaw and Pushmataha Counties. Prepared by the Oklahoma City University Business Research Center. January, 1969. Box 2: Oklahoma Water Resources Board Folder: 1. Oklahoma Water Resources Board. A Policy Statement – Water and Related Land Resources Planning. Prepared by the Water Resources Council, Washington D.C., July 22, 1970. 2. Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Ground-Water Levels in Observation Wells in Oklahoma, 1971-1974. Also contains errata sheet concerning a