James Kezer Oral History Interview
Interviewer: Stephen R. Mark, Crater Lake National Park Historian
Interview Location and Date: At James Kezer’s residence in Eugene, Oregon, January 26, 1997
Transcription: Transcribed by Renee Edwards, August 1998
Biographical Summary (from the interview introduction)
James Kezer is an emeritus professor of biology at the University of Oregon. A world authority on salamander chromosomes, Dr. Kezer did pioneering work in the field of amphibian cytogenetics. He is also an excellent field naturalist, a calling no doubt aided by having spent the summers of 1951 and 1952 in Crater Lake National Park.
This interview took place at his residence in Eugene, where he continues to engage every visitor with boundless enthusiasm and a living room that also serves as concert hall. As current editor of the long-time serial Nature Notes from Crater Lake, I could not resist his suggestion to team up and produce a special on Sphagnum Bog. It is a chance for me to reacquaint myself with a fascinating corner of the park and an opportunity to work with a former editor only 47 years removed from the job.
Materials Associated with this interview on file at the Dick Brown library at Crater Lake National Park’s Steel Visitor Center: Taped interview; file includes correspondence, copies of articles, and photographs.
