Donald F. Danker papers

Restrictions: Closed to public and staff research and access until 25 February 2027.

Biographical sketch: World War II veteran, college teacher, Nebraska state archivist. Of Lincoln, Neb.; Topeka, Kan. Born 1922, died 2005.

Abstract: Collection consists of personal journals and correspondence from Donald Danker. The correspondence covers the years 1942-1945 during Danker's years in the military, including letters during service in the United States and overseas, and is between him & his parents. The journals cover Danker's military & professional career and his personal recollections from the years 1944-1945 & 1955-1990.

Biog. Sketch (Full): Donald F. Danker was born in 1922 and grew up in Nebraska. He started teaching in a rural school at the age of seventeen before he started attending the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) in 1941.

His career was interrupted by World War II, in which he served for three years and was stationed in the Pacific and worked with radar. After the war ended, Danker returned to the University of Nebraska and received his bachelors of science in education in 1948. During this time he also married and became a father to two children, Dan and Kathy. Danker continued his education and received his masters in 1949 and his doctorate in history in 1955. He taught at York College in York, Nebraska, for two years in between receiving his masters and Ph.D., and after he received his doctorate he worked part-time as an instructor with the University of Nebraska and as an archivist with that state's historical society. He continued as archivist from 1952 until 1963, serving as the State archivist during part of the period.

In 1963, Danker moved his family to Topeka, Kansas, in order to teach as an assistant professor at Washburn University. In 1964 he returned to Nebraska to continue teaching at the University and was again employed by the Nebraska State Historical Society as an historian. He remained in these capacities for three years, but when Washburn requested he return, Danker moved his family back to Topeka in 1967. Danker received the rank of full professor at Washburn in 1972.

Danker retired from Washburn University in 1988. He died on 14 February 2005.

Restrictions: Closed to public and staff research and access until 25 February 2027.