Interviewer
Richard B. Torgerson
Files
Description
Alexander Stepanzoff recalls his childhood in Harbin, Manchuria, China, where he learned to play the French horn and wrestled competitively, winning the gold medal in the 1921 Asian Olympics. He talks about being recruited by several U.S. universities and his decision to attend University of Montana [UM] in Missoula, Montana. Stepanzoff credits UM President Charles Clapp with helping him obtain student employment, graduate, and make decisions about his early career. Stepanzoff describes working at Chase Manhattan Bank during the 1920s, while attending Columbia University for his master’s and doctorate, and traveling to Russia for the bank to research the Soviet economic system. He details his decision to return to Montana in 1939 at the request of his father-in-law to build and manage the Missoula Bon Ton Bakery. Stepanzoff details his work as the Missoula City Band director and the challenges he faced retaining community musicians.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
Stepanzoff, Alexander Michael; Russia; Imperial Russian Government; Harbin, Manchuria, China; Asian Olympics; Wrestling; University of Montana, Missoula, Montana; Charles H. Clapp, University of Montana; International Club, University of Montana; International Club Orchestra, University of Montana; University Symphony, University of Montana; Cain, Charles; Chase Manhattan Bank; Bullitt, William C.; Sousa, John Phillip; Smith, Leonard; Vizzutti, John; Goldman, Edwin Franko; Petrillo, John Caesar; Skaggs, Marion Barton; Graf, Eugene; Bon Ton Bakery, Montana; Missoula City Band
Original Date
1-26-1989
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
University of Montana History Oral History Collection, Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula
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 225-001, 002
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
2 sound cassettes (2:00:00) analog + 1 transcript (44 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
01:43:41 minutes
Local Filename
OH_225_001_002.mp3; OH_225_001_002.pdf
Citation
Stepanzoff, Alexander Michael, "Alexander Michael Stepanzoff Interview, January 26, 1989" (1989). University of Montana History Oral History Collection. 19.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/umhistory_interviews/19