Richard (Dick) G. Strippel Research and Writings on Amelia Earhart

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 204

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Richard (Dick) G. Strippel Research and Writings on Amelia Earhart (1931-1999; 4.3 cubic feet) comprise the materials used to write the book, Amelia Earhart: the myth and the reality…. Strippel compiled the materials presented here in preparation for the book’s publication. The collection also contains the book proposal and drafts for Amelia Earhart: the myth and the reality…, correspondence related to the publication of the book, and reactions to the book that followed publication. Types of materials in the collection include: research and reference files, correspondence, manuscripts, publication records, photographs, and oversized materials. The Richard (Dick) G. Strippel Research and Writings on Amelia Earhart are organized into 1 series: Writings.

Dates

Creation: 1931-1999
Other: Date acquired: 07/06/2016

Creator

Strippel, Dick (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Purdue University per deed of gift.

Biographical Information

Richard (Dick) George Strippel was born on June 16, 1929 in New York City, New York, to Otto and Bertha (Kolbe) Strippel. He married Doris V. Strippel. Strippel received his B.A. in Writing from Colgate University in 1951 and served as a United States Air Force Public Information Officer overseas during the Korean War from 1951-1953. After the war, Strippel served as a public relations generalist and magazine editor for Commercial Union Group of Insurance Companies, Graybar Electric Company, CIT Corporation, and the United Parcel Service of America. Starting in 1966, Strippel became the head of corporate public relations and publications activity for Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation. Throughout his life, Strippel researched the Amelia Earhart disappearance and published his book, Amelia Earhart: the myth and the reality… in 1972, which endorsed the government’s original conclusion that Amelia Earhart ran out of fuel and crashed at sea. Strippel also authored articles based on his book, including “Howland Island…Aerial ‘Stepping Stone’ to Australia, or Presidential Gift to Amelia Earhart” and “Flight into Eternity,” published in the July 1972 issue of Air Classics(USA). Strippel was in the process of working on a sequel to his book, entitled Amelia Earhart – A Reality Check, a draft from 1994 can be found in the Special Collections Department at the University of Texas at Dallas. Richard Strippel died on February 13, 2015.

Extent

3.412 Cubic Feet (Six letter-size full-width manuscript boxes, three letter-size half-width manuscript boxes, and one flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Donated by Doris V. Strippel

Related Materials

Amelia Earhart papers, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries

The Joseph Gervais Papers, The University of Texas at Dallas.

Amelia Earhart papers (George Palmer Putnam collection), Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries

Processing Information

Whenever possible, original order of the materials has been retained. All materials have been housed in acid-free folders and acid-free boxes. Some clippings containing images of people or color graphics, or front pages of newspapers, have been preserved for display purposes, with photocopies made available for research.