Guide to the Bob Jones papers
1924-1998
Collection number: HMC-1411.
Creator: Jones, Bob (Robert Dunbrack).
Title: Bob Jones papers.
Dates: 1924-1998
Volume of collection: 1.0 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary: Personal and professional papers of the director of the Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
Biographical note:
Bob “Sea Otter” Jones was born in Milbank, South Dakota in 1916. During World War II he was stationed in the Aleutians with the U. S. Army. After the war he stayed in Alaska and in 1948 became the manager of the Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. He retired from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1980 and passed away in 1998. During his time as manager of the Refuge he was known for being outspoken against nuclear testing in the Aleutians, the removal of introduced fox populations on the islands and the resulting recovery of Aleutian Cackling Geese populations, and his research into sea otters and various migratory bird species, particularly at Izembek Lagoon. He was married to Dorothy M. Jones.
Collection description:
The collection includes some materials from Bob Jones’ early life such as a few school records, but primarily consists of materials related to his wildlife research, writings, career materials, and some personal documentation. The collection includes photographs, daily logs and diaries which are often related to weather and migratory bird counts, and research files.
Arrangement: Collection materials are generally grouped by type.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Copyright to collection materials created by Bob Jones has been transferred to the Archives.
Preferred citation: Bob Jones papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory:
Woods, Bruce. “‘Sea Otter’ and the Geese.” Endangered Species Update 21, no. 2 (2004): S26.
Separated materials: Clippings and an original copy of Bob Jones’ UAF masters thesis were removed from the collection. The clippings were placed in the collection processing file. The thesis is available online in UAScholarworks.
Acquisition note: The collection was given to the Archives by Chuck Jones, Bob Jones’ son, in 2022 through the support of the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association.
Processing information: This collection was rehoused and described by Arlene Schmuland in 2023.
Container list:
| Box/Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1/1 | Elementary school attendance and grade reports | 1924, 1928 |
| 1/2 | Boy Scout badges | 1934-1938 |
| 1/3 | Milbank high School Salutatorian speech | 1935 |
| 1/4 | Missouri River canoe trip account | 1938 |
| 1/5 | Daily log | 1977 July-August |
| 1/6 | Log of the MV Sea Otter | 1981-1985 |
| 1/7 | Seward cabin observations log, volume 1 | 1981-1995 |
| 1/8 | Seward cabin observations log, volume 2 | 1995-1998 |
| 1/9 | Daily log | 1982-1986 |
| 1/10 | Daily log | 1986-1997 |
| 1/11 | Trip log | 1990 June |
| 1/12 | Notes, reminders, and addresses | Undated |
| 1/13 | Bibliographical notecards | Undated |
| 1/14 | Publications list | 1951-1976 |
| 1/15 | Report excerpts | 1950-1965 |
| 1/16 | Reports | 1963-1970 |
| 1/17 | “Bob’s stories:” writings, possibly unpublished | Undated |
| 1/18 | Report: Migrations of early man to North America | Undated |
| 1/19 | Editorial correspondence | 1977 |
| 1/20 | Vessel operators license | 1981 |
| 1/21 | Retirement card | Circa 1980 |
| 1/22 | U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer appreciation certificate | Circa 1989-1993 |
| 1/23 | Izembek National Wildlife Refuge flyers and memoranda | 1980-1995 |
| 1/24, 1/36 | Photographic prints (including one oversize) | Undated |
| 1/25 | Cold Bay slides | Undated |
| 1/26 | Unlabeled slides, includes images of birds, sunsets, Whiskey Gulch, Homer, and a Beached Bird Survey | 1972-1978 |
| 1/27 | Slides: Yukon Delta box 01 | 1976 |
| 1/28 | Slides: Yukon Delta box 02 | 1967-1977 |
| 1/29 | Slides: Yukon Delta box 03 (first box) | 1976-1977 |
| 1/30 | Slides: Yukon Delta box 03 (second box) | 1978, undated |
| 1/31 | Slides: Yukon Delta unnumbered box | 1976-1977 |
| 1/32 | Slides: Yukon Delta color, infrared, plus others | 1976-1978 |
| 1/33 | Slides: Chisik | 1978-1979 |
| 1/34 | Slides: Murres, swallow, Chisik | 1979 |
| 1/35 | Slides: Walrus | 1979-1980 |