| Record Group | 064-06-57 |
| Department or Office: | Geography Department |
| Title: | Martin R. Kaatz Papers |
| Dates: | 1953-1993 |
| Size: | 2.25 cubic feet. |
| Arrangement: | Arranged alphabetically by subject heading. |
| History: | Martin R. Kaatz was born on April 16, 1924 in Cleveland, Ohio to David and Ella Kaatz. As a child his family relocated to Detroit, Michigan where he attended public schools and graduated from Central High School in 1942. After graduation he attended the University of Michigan but remained only one semester before joining the United States Army in 1943. He returned the University of Michigan after he was discharged from the service in 1946. He received his Bachelor’s degree in 1948 and a year later his Masters degree in Geography. From 1949 to 1950 he attended Syracuse University’s doctorial program in Geography, but returned to the University of Michigan where he received his Ph.D. in 1952. In October of 1952, he was hired by Central Washington College of Education (presently Central Washington University) as an Assistant Professor of Geography. Dr. Kaatz served as chairman of the Geography and Land Studies Department for fifteen years. He remained as an instructor at the college until his retirement in December of 1982. |
| Contents: | The Martin R. Kaatz papers consists of correspondence, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings and reports related to environmental programs and organizations in Kittitas and Yakima counties of Washington State. The papers contain the meeting minutes of the Downtown Ellensburg Task Force (1979-1987), Ellensburg Planning Commission (1960-1966), Yakima River Basin Citizen’s Committee (1974-1977) and the Yakima River Basin Steering Committee (1973-1974). Included in his works are plans, proposals and drafts of programs and reports related to county and city zoning ordinances, water quality, ecological management and the initiation of an environmental studies program at Central Washington University. |
| Restrictions: | Open to the public. |