Oral History Accounts

An interview of Michael Glenn Thorne and his wife, Jill Thorne, regarding Oregon's Governor Victor Atiyeh. This interview was recorded on June 23, 2015. The Thornes had known Atiyeh through several government roles. Mike Thorne served as a Democrat in the Oregon State Senate from 1973-1991, and later as the Director of the Port of Portland from 1991-2001. Jill Thorne worked as her husband's campaign manager and later, was on the staff of Gov. Neil Goldschmidt, who succeeded Atiyeh. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

An interview of Gerry Thompson on the topic of Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on Aug. 8, 2017. Thompson was Atiyeh's Chief of Staff during most of his governorship. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer. This is one of several recorded interviews between Moore and Thompson.

An interview of Gerry Thompson on the topic of Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on Jan. 19, 2016. Thompson was Atiyeh's Chief of Staff during most of his governorship. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer. This is one of several recorded interviews between Moore and Thompson.

An interview of Judge Michael Sullivan regarding Oregon's Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on Sep. 8, 2015. Sullivan was the District Attorney of Jefferson County during the Rajneesh Crisis of the 1980s. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

An interview of David Sarasohn regarding Oregon's Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on Feb. 17, 2015. Sarasohn was a former history professor who became the Opinion Editor for The Oregonian newspaper in 1983. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

The second part of an interview of Denny Miles regarding Oregon's Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on Apr. 5, 2016. Miles was Atiyeh's Press Secretary during most of his governorship. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer. This is one of several recorded interviews between Moore and Miles.

An interview of Denny Miles regarding Oregon's Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on July 31, 2014. Miles was Atiyeh's Press Secretary during most of his governorship. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer. This is one of several recorded interviews between Moore and Miles.

An interview of Judge Robert E. Jones (1927-2025) regarding Oregon's Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on July 21, 2015. Jones served briefly as a Republican in the Oregon House of Representatives alongside Atiyeh in 1963, and was later appointed by Atiyeh as an Oregon Supreme Court Justice. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

An interview of Lon Holbrook regarding Oregon's Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on June 6, 2017. Holbrook was a member of the State Police, was part of Atiyeh's security team, and often served as his driver. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

An interview of attorney Bob Oliver (1931-2019) on the topic of Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on August 24, 2015. Oliver served as the legal counsel to Governors McCall and Atiyeh, playing a particularly important behind-the-scenes role as Public Safety Coordinator during the Rajneesh crisis. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

An interview of Paul Hanneman on the topic of Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh, recorded on July 22, 2015. Hanneman was a Republican serving in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1965-1990. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

An interview of Bill Gary on the topic of Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh and the Rajneesh Crisis, recorded on June 14, 2016. Gary was a Solicitor General and later, Assistant Attorney General for the State of Oregon during Atiyeh's governorship. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

An interview of Gerry Frank on the topic of Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh, recorded on August 17, 2015. Frank was a former businessman (an heir to Portland's Meier and Frank department store) who served as Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield's Chief of Staff. The interviewer, James Moore, was as professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

An interview of Verne Duncan on the topic of Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh, recorded on August 12, 2014. Duncan served during Atiyeh's administration as Oregon's Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1975-1989. The interviewer, James Moore, was a professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

An interview of former Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on June 3, 2014. The interviewer, James Moore, was a professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer. This was one of several interviews Moore conducted with Governor Atiyeh. Note: Atiyeh was 91 years old at the time of this recording; he died less than two months afterwards. His voice is relatively faint and thin compared to earlier recordings.

An interview of former Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on January 2, 2014. The interviewer, James Moore, was a professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer. This was one of several interviews Moore conducted with Governor Atiyeh. Note: Atiyeh was nearly 91 years old at the time of this recording; he died about six months afterwards. His voice is relatively faint and thin compared to earlier recordings.

An interview of Bob Atiyeh on the topic of his uncle, Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh, recorded on February 4, 2015. Bob Atiyeh was a driver during Vic Atiyeh's 1978 gubernatorial campaign. The interviewer, James Moore, was a professor of political science at Pacific University and was Atiyeh's biographer.

This is one part of an oral history interview that was originally recorded on over 60 cassette tapes by the Oregon Historical Society. It is accompanied by a typed transcript. This portion covers: Rajneesh incident in Oregon, mid-1980s; Oregon Investment Council, mid-1980s; Roger Meyer and the buy-out of Fred Meyer by KK&R, mid-1980s; State Treasurer Bill Rutherford, mid-1980s. Victor Atiyeh served as governor of Oregon from 1979-1987.

This sound recording features a statement by Governor Atiyeh on KPRB Radio regarding the Rajneeshpuram community.