Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Richard Keener letters

Abstract

The Richard Keener letters (dated 1968-1971; 0.45 cubic feet; 1 box) comprise letters between Richard and his fiancé and later wife, Patricia (Torres) Keener that document the training, deployment, and rehabilitation of Richard Keener in California and Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Richard Keener letters
Date
1968-1971 (inclusive)
Extent
0.45 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Military history.
Soldiers -- Correspondence
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Medical care
Arrangement
The Richard Keener letters are arranged by sender and recipient if they sent more than one letter. For those who sent only a single letter, or this collection cotaines a single letter from them, it is placed in a various letters folder. Each folder is then arranged chronologically. There is a number written on the top right corner of each letter that corresponds to a number written on the bottom right of the letter's evenlope.
Finding Aid Author
Archives Staff
Preferred Citation
2003ms132.0005: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Richard Keener letters, 1968-1971, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Richard Keener married Patricia Torres in October/November of 1968. Richard fought in the Vietnam war as a Sergeant, stationed in California before his deployment to Vietnam, then later recovered in San Francisco, California from a leg injury.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Richard Keener letters (dated 1968-1971; 0.45 cubic feet; 1 box) comprise letters between Richard and his fiancé and later wife, Patricia (Torres) Keener that document the training, deployment, and rehabilitation of Richard Keener in California and Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The letters primarily discuss everyday life and family, while touching upon various aspects of military life in Vietnam. The letters also shed light on the recovery process of an injured soldier.
The Richard Keener letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Richard Keener to Patricia (Torres) Keener, 1968 March-April

  • Box 17, folder 1
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Richard Keener letters, 1968 May-June

  • Box 17, folder 2
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Richard Keener letters, 1968 July

  • Box 17, folder 3
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Richard Keener letters, 1968 August

  • Box 17, folder 4
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Richard Keener letters, 1968 September-October

  • Box 17, folder 5
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Richard Keener letters, 1968 November-December

  • Box 17, folder 6
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Richard Keener letters, 1969 January

  • Box 17, folder 7
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Richard Keener letters, 1969 February

  • Box 17, folder 8
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Richard Keener letters, 1969 March

  • Box 17, folder 9
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Richard Keener letters, 1969-1971

  • Box 17, folder 10
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Dorothy "Mom" Machen to Patricia Keener, 1968-1969

  • Box 17, folder 11
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Letters, 1968-1971

  • Box 17, folder 12
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Richard Keener's requests for leave, 1968-1971

  • Box 17, folder 13
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Photographs, circa 1968-1971

  • Box 17, folder 14
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.