Robert F. Karolevitz Papers

Identity elements

Reference code

SDSU-Archives MA 039

Name and location of repository

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections

Level of description

Title

Robert F. Karolevitz Papers

Date(s)

1833-2011 (Creation)

Extent

74.25 linear feet [58 record boxes, 9 oversize flat boxes, 1 long legal document case]

Name of creator

Karolevitz, Robert F.

Biographical history

Robert F. Karolevitz was born on April 26, 1922, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota. He began his writing career in high school as editor of the school newspaper and yearbook and contributed a sports column to the Yankton Public Opinion. After graduating from Yankton High School in 1940, he studied printing and journalism at South Dakota State College. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army Infantry in Japan and the Philippines, rising to the rank of captain. As division historian for the 25th Infantry, he authored his first book, The 25th Infantry Division and World War II, published in 1946.

Following his military service, Karolevitz earned a B.S. in Printing and Rural Journalism from South Dakota State College in 1948 and later completed a master’s degree in journalism at the University of Oregon. Recalled to active duty during the Korean War, he served as a public-information officer and feature writer for the U.S. Eighth Army, contributing articles and organizing homecoming events for returning soldiers.

In the 1950s and 60s, Karolevitz and his wife, Phyllis, lived in Seattle, Washington, where he worked in public relations, advertising, and political ghostwriting. He gained recognition as a popular historian with the publication of Newspapering in the Old West (1965), for which he received a Sigma Delta Chi excellence award. After nearly two decades in Washington, the Karolevitz family returned to South Dakota, where he continued his writing career, producing a prolific body of work focused on regional history and culture.

Karolevitz authored nearly forty books, including Where Your Heart Is: The Story of Harvey Dunn, which won the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Wrangler Award; Challenge: The South Dakota Story, written for the South Dakota Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and honored by Augustana College's Center for Western Studies; and Flight of Eagles, co-authored with Ross Fenn, which earned the Polish Gold Merit Cross. His newspaper columns, Writer at Large and The Way It Was, appeared in various South Dakota publications and were later compiled into books such as Tears in My Horseradish and Toulouse the Goose.

Deeply involved in civic and historical institutions, Karolevitz served on numerous boards, including the South Dakota Hall of Fame, South Dakota State Historical Society, and Sacred Heart Hospital. He was instrumental in the establishment of the South Dakota State Historical Society Press and served as president of the South Dakota State University Alumni Association. Over his career, he received numerous honors for his literary and public service contributions, including the South Dakota Hall of Fame induction (1973), Distinguished Citizen of the Year (1981), and the Bishop Dudley Media Award (2004).

Karolevitz’s legacy reflects his lifelong dedication to documenting and promoting the history, people, and culture of South Dakota and the American Midwest.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The Robert F. Karolevitz Papers document the life and work of a prolific South Dakota journalist, author, public speaker, and historian. Spanning the years 1833 to 2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1910 to 1999, the collection offers comprehensive insight into Karolevitz’s personal life, professional writing career, civic activities, and historical research.

The collection includes personal files such as education records, family correspondence, financial and legal documents, memorabilia, and ephemera. These materials trace Karolevitz’s academic path through Yankton High School, South Dakota State College, and the University of Oregon, as well as his later roles as a public speaker and educator. Family records highlight several generations of the Karolevitz family, with photographs, commemorative materials, and genealogical documentation reflecting his strong ties to Yankton and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Professional files encompass manuscripts, published and unpublished writings, newspaper columns, speeches, advertising and political ghostwriting, and correspondence with publishers. Among the most notable works documented are Flight of Eagles, This Was Trucking, With a Shirt Tail Full of Type, and The Prairie is My Garden. Supplementary materials include book layouts, catalogs, and awards from institutions such as South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Newspaper Association, and Toastmasters International.

Karolevitz’s extensive research files span a wide range of historical subjects, including South Dakota and regional history, Catholic institutions, journalism, automotive culture, and American military history. These files contain clippings, correspondence, notes, pamphlets, and illustrations gathered in support of his writing and historical interests.

A major strength of the collection is its substantial photographic holdings, comprising thousands of prints, negatives, slides, and postcards. Subjects include early automobiles, farm equipment, American Indian communities, historic newspaper offices, Catholic parishes, World War I, and South Dakota towns and landscapes. These visual materials significantly enrich the documentation of regional culture and 20th-century American life.

Collectively, the Robert F. Karolevitz Papers form a rich resource for scholars of American regional history, journalism, Catholic heritage, and South Dakota’s cultural identity. The collection offers a deeply personal and professionally expansive view of one of the state’s most dedicated chroniclers.

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

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In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)

The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.

Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.

If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.

In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.

If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu

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Conditions governing reproduction

The donor retains copyright until his death, at which time copyright and renewal rights to the donated materials transfer to the donor's designee. Many of the photographs in this collection were collected from sources other than Karolevitz and may have copyright restrictions on them. It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material from this collection to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request.

Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:

Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.

For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.

Languages of the material

English

Scripts of the material

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Immediate source of acquisition

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

Accruals

Related materials elements

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related archival materials

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Rogers, C. M. & Karolevitz, R. F. (2011) South Dakota's challenges since 1960. Sioux Falls, S.D: Charles Rogers.
F651.K372 2011
Torrance, R. C. (Roscoe C. & Karolevitz, R. F. (1988) Torchy: the biography and reminiscences of Roscoe C. Torrance. Mission Hill, S.D: Dakota Homestead Publishers.
GV742.42.T67 A3 1988
Karolevitz, R. F. (1995) The 25th Division and World War 2. Nashville: Battery Press.
769.3 25th .A5 1995
Karolevitz, R. F. (1985) From quill to computer: the story of America's community newspapers. Freeman, S.D: By Pine Hill Press for the National Newspaper Foundation.
PN4888.C594 K37 1985
Karolevitz, R. F. (1971) Pioneer church in a pioneer city: the story of Sacred Heart Parish, Yankton, South Dakota, 1871-1971. 1st ed. Aberdeen, S.D: North Plains Press.
BX46.3.Y3 K3
Karolevitz, R. F. (1983) Public relations: Rx for the health care team. St. Louis, MO: Catholic Health Association of the United States.
RA965.5.K36 1983
Karolevitz, R. F. (1971) Everything's green ... but my thumb! 1st ed. Aberdeen, S.D: North Plains Press.
S521.5.W2 K37
Karolevitz, R. F. (1970) Where your heart is; the story of Harvey Dunn, artist. Aberdeen, S.D: North Plains Press.
Oversize ND237.D79 K3
Karolevitz, R. F. (1998) Yankton--the way it was!: being a collection of historical columns. 1st ed. Yankton, S.D: Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan.
Oversize F659.Y25 K375 1998
Karolevitz, R. F. (2003) Yankton College: a continuing story. Mission Hill, S.D: Dakota Homested Publishers.
LD6371.Y32 K37 2003
Karolevitz, R. F. (1970) Old-time agriculture in the ads: being a compendium of magazine and newspaper sales literature, reminiscent of the days when farming was a way of life, and horsepower came in horses. Aberdeen, S.D: North Plains Press.
HF61+61.A3 K3o
Karolevitz, R. F. (1993) An historic sampler of Davison County. Virginia Beach, VA: Donning Co.
F657.D25 K37 1993
Karolevitz, R. F. (1986) Yesterday's motorcycles. Mission Hill, SD: Homestead Publishers.
TL440.K436 1986
Karolevitz, R. F. (1984) Kemper Freeman, Sr., and the Bellevue story. Mission Hill, S.D: Homestead Publishers.
F899.B39 F745 1984
Karolevitz, R. F. (1967) Doctors of the Old West: a pictorial history of medicine on the frontier. [1st ed.]. Seattle: Superior Pub. Co.
R152.K3d
Karolevitz, R. F. (1975) Challenge: the South Dakota story. Sioux Falls, S.D: Brevet Press.
F651.K37
Karolevitz, R. F. (1980) Paper mountain: the story of Frank Osgood Butler, 1861-1955. Brookings, S.D: F. O. Butler Foundation.
HD9830.B87 K37
Karolevitz, R. F. (1993) They always called him coach: a biography of Carl Ivan Youngworth. Mission Hill, S.D: Dakota Homestead Publishers.
GV697.Y68 K37 1993
Karolevitz, R. F. (1968) E. G.,' inventor by necessity; the story of E. G. Melroe and the Melroe Company. Aberdeen, S.D: North Plains Press.
HD9486.N9 M4
Karolevitz, R. F. (1980) Bishop Martin Marty, 'the black robe lean chief'. Yankton, S.D: Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Convent.
E99.D1 M395
Karolevitz, R. F. (1972) Yankton: a pioneer past. Aberdeen, S.D: North Plains Press.
F659.Y25 K37
Karolevitz, R. F. (1966) This was trucking; a pictorial history of the first quarter century of commercial motor vehicles. [1st ed.]. Seattle: Superior Pub. Co.
TL230.K3t
Karolevitz, R. F. (1965) Newspapering in the Old West; a pictorial history of journalism and printing on the frontier. [1st ed.]. Seattle: Superior Pub. Co.
PN4894.K3n
Karolevitz, R. F. (1969) The prairie is my garden; the story of Harvey Dunn, artist. Aberdeen, S.D: North Plains Press.
ND237.D79 K3p
Karolevitz, R. F. (1991) The golfer's good book. Mission Hill, S.D: Dakota Homestead Publishers.
GV9667.K29 1991
Karolevitz, R. F. (1973) Old-time autos in the ads. Yankton, S.D: Homestead Publishers.
HF6161.A8 K3
Karolevitz, R. F. (1968) This was pioneer motoring: an album of nostalgic automemorabilia. 1st ed. Seattle: Superior Pub. Co.
TL15.K27 1968
Karolevitz, R. F. (1985) Toulouse the goose and other ridiculous stories: a collection of columns. Yankton, S.D: Missouri Valley Observer.
PN6162.K53 1985
Karolevitz, R. F. (1983) Douglas County: 'the little giant'. Armour, S.D: Douglas County Historical Society.
F657.D7 K37 1983
Karolevitz, R. F. & Hunhoff, B. (1988) Uniquely South Dakota. Norfolk, Va: Donning Co.
Oversize F652.K37 1988
Karolevitz, R. F. (1982) With a shirt tail full of type: the story of newspapering in South Dakota. Freeman: South Dakota Press Association.
PN4897.S8 K37
Karolevitz, R. F. & Fenn, R. S. (1974) Flight of eagles: the story of the American KoÅ›ciuszko Squadron in the Polish-Russian War 1919-1920. Sioux Falls, S.D: Brevet Press.
DK440.K277
Karolevitz, R. F. (1983) Tears in my horseradish: being a collection of columns. Gayville, S.D: Observer.
PN6162.K35 1983
Karolevitz, R. F. (1989) With faith, hope and tenacity: the first one hundred years of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, 1889-1989. Mission Hill, S.D: Dakota Homestead Publishers.
BX1415.S8 K37 1989
Karolevitz, R. F. (1993) A century of love: the first 100 years of the Children's Home Society of South Dakota, 1893-1993. Mission Hills, S.D: Dakota Homestead Publishers for the Children's Home Foundation.
HV990.S732 C455 1993

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