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- Finding Aid
Bill Gessner Papers
Collection Overview
ID: OGLMC1724
Primary Creator: Gessner, William (1947-2019)
Extent: 3.5 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 04/23/2024
Subjects: Music, University of North Dakota - Alumni
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Bill Gessner Papers consist of his obituaries, CDs of his recorded songs, articles he wrote for the Cooperative Grocer Magazine, song lyrics and poems including songs printed in his church's Christmas newsletters, notebooks full of song lyrics and personal notes, Gessner genealogy, personal letters to his parents, and information about song writing workshops.
Series 1: Biographical Materials
Series 2: Song Lyrics and Poetry
Series 3: Notebooks
Series 4: Gessner Genealogy
Series 5: Songwriting Workshops
Collection Historical Note
"William 'Bill' Gessner died unexpectedly on the evening of January 14, 2019, at Courage Kenny Rehab Center in Golden Valley, Minnesota, following a stroke on November 27, 2018. Bill was born in Fargo, ND, on July 27, 1947. He graduated from Minot High School in 1965. He was the student manager of the 1965 state championship Magicians basketball team and active in Student Council. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and graduated with a B.A. from the University of North Dakota in 1969. He began his longtime co-op career when he managed the Grand Forks Food Co-op during the late 1970s.
Bill was a much loved figure in three national communities: food co-ops, songwriters & musicians, and amateur tennis enthusiasts. He had an extremely active life based in Minneapolis and had created a network of friends nationwide due to these interests. He helped found several key co-op organizations and worked for more than twenty years with CDS Consulting Co-op. In 2012, he was honored by being inducted by his colleagues into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. They described Bill as being 'loyal, loving, generous, unassuming, humorous, playful, even quirky.' Bill recorded two CDs with his own compositions, 'Welcome to Gessnerville, Pop. 19' and 'Wild Life.' In the fields of co-ops, music, and tennis, it would be impossible to count the number of people who would say 'I wouldn't be where I am without Bill Gessner's support.'
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Royce and Elaine Gessner. He is survived by his seven cousins, Mike and David Hoopman, Judith Hains, Fred and Pete Challoner, Blaine Shepherd, Georgia Bond, and countless dear and treasured friends. His body will be cremated and buried next to his parents in the Walhalla Cemetery in eastern North Dakota. A celebration of Bill's life will be held in Minneapolis in May."
Source: Grand Forks Herald, 1 February 2019
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: Carolyn King, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Acquisition Method: Donation; 2024-3507
Preferred Citation: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Processing Information: Processed by Tamara Bordon, Special Collections Graduate Student Intern, in May 2024.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Biographical Materials, 1991-2019],
[Series 2: Song Lyrics and Poetry, 1973-2018],
[Series 3: Gessner's Notebooks, 1972-2003],
[Series 4: Gessner Genealogy, 1963-1995],
[Series 5: Songwriting Workshops, 1997-2018],
[All]
- Series 1: Biographical Materials, 1991-2019
The first series contains obituaries for Bill Gessner describing his educational, professional, and personal life, three CDs of recorded music, Box 1, Folders 1-2, as well as digital records* regarding the creation of Gessner's CDs.
The first series also contains thirteen articles* written by Gessner for the Cooperative Grocer Magazine dating 1991-2015 arranged chronologically. Articles can be found at https://archives.grocer.coop/articles?keys=&authors=6230&issue=All
* Contact University of North Dakota Special Collections for PDF copies of digital materials.
- Sub-Series 1: Obituaries, 2019
- The first sub-series includes Bill Gessner's Obituaries, Box 1, Folder 1. Obituaries are from the Grand Forks Herald dated February 1, 2019, Minot, and Star Tribune dated January 20, 2019.
- Sub-Series 2: CDs
The second sub-series contains three CDs of Bill Gessner's recorded music, Box 1, Folder 2, and digital records* regarding the creation of his CDs.
* Contact University of North Dakota Special Collections for PDF copies of digital materials.
- Folder 1: Digital Records Regarding CD Creation, 2001-2017
Digital records regarding CD organization and creation.
Item 1: Letter to Ralph Murphy at ASCAP, June 14, 2001
Item 2: Bill Gessner's Business Plan, August 14, 2001
Item 3: Notes about Estelle's CD, May 1, 2017
Item 4: Gessnerville and Traditions Playlist, October 4, 2003
Item 5: Promotion Introduction
- Sub-Series 3: Cooperative Grocer Magazine Articles, 1991-2015
The third sub-series contains thirteen articles* written by Gessner for the Cooperative Grocer Magazine dating 1991 - 2015 arranged chronologically. Articles can be found at https://archives.grocer.coop/articles?keys=&authors=6230&issue=All
* Contact University of North Dakota Special Collections for PDF copies of digital materials.
Item 1: "Preparing for Expansion" March-April 1991
Item 2: "Project Management for Cooperatives", May-June 1993
Item 3: "The Co-op Empowerment Stream", March-April 1996
Item 4: "Clarifying Board and Management Roles in Expansion/Relocation Projects", July-August 1999
Item 5: "Conducting Member Loan Campaigns", January-February 2000
Item 6: "Your New Store: Meeting First Year Challenges", March-April 2002
Item 7: "The Spirit of Generosity", March-April 2004
Item 8: "Avoid Post-Expansion Burnout: The Board of Director's Role", September-October 2005
Item 9: "Co-op Expansions Raise the Bar", November-December 2005
Item 10: "Capitalization Strategies for New and Existing Co-ops", March-April 2007
Item 11: "Additional Stores: Expanding 'The Co-op'", January-February 2008
Item 12: "The Spirit of Generosity", May-June 2015
Item 13: "Getting Started with Expansion Planning", September-October 2015
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Biographical Materials, 1991-2019],
[Series 2: Song Lyrics and Poetry, 1973-2018],
[Series 3: Gessner's Notebooks, 1972-2003],
[Series 4: Gessner Genealogy, 1963-1995],
[Series 5: Songwriting Workshops, 1997-2018],
[All]