O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West Oral History Project
Interviewer
Michael Larmann
Files
Description
TJ Abbenhaus describes how he became the GIS Technology Specialist for the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West between 1998 and 2003. Abbenhaus first explains how his outdoor activists and work for local government counties got him interested in Geographic Information Systems. Abbenhaus explains how an acquaintance in graduate school at the University of Montana, Dave Highness, encouraged him to work for Larry Swanson at the O’Connor Center while completing his degree. Abbenhaus then delves into the Regional Economics Database Systems (READ), Central Place Theory, and other technical aspects of work at the O’Connor Center that contributed to his geographic thinking. He also discusses his professional and personal relationships with Center employees including Larry Swanson, Daniel Kemmis, Pat Williams, Doug Lawrence, and Dave Highness. Abbenhaus then explains how working at the O’Connor Center prepared him for employment at the Montana State Library, county governments, and finally Ersi Inc.
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Document Type
Oral History
Original Date
3-18-2025
Time Period
Twentieth century; Twenty-first century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West Oral History Project, OH 489, Archives & Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 489-005
Media Type
Moving image; Sound; Text
Original Format
video/mp4; application/pdf; text/plain
Digital Format
video/mp4; application/pdf; text/plain
Run Time
01:07:14 minutes
Local Filename
OH_489_005_video_use.mp4; OH_489.005_transcript.pdf; OH_489.005_captions.srt
Citation
Abbenhaus, Timothy J., "Timothy J. Abbenhaus Interview, March 18, 2025" (2025). O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West Oral History Project. 5.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/oconnorcenter_interviews/5