Walt Riker Papers, 1943-2003 | Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections

By Tessa Klink, Charles Welborn, Sarah D'Antonio, Erin Wolfe

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Collection Overview

Title: Walt Riker Papers, 1943-2003

Predominant Dates:1981-1993

ID: 01/014

Primary Creator: Riker III, Walter F. (1947-)

Extent: 14.63 Linear Feet

Arrangement: The collection is arranged chronologically into four series based on major functions of Walt Riker’s career and includes Pre-Press Secretary, Press Secretary, Post-Press Secretary and Published Materials. All attempts have been made during processing to preserve the original order of the collection as it was received from Walt Riker. Subseries and individual folders within each series are arranged alphabetically first, and then chronologically if needed. The collection includes a fourth series, Published Materials, comprised of books, newspapers and magazines, which did not fit intellectually within the three preceding series. An attempt was made to incorporate any viable published materials into the first three series. Additionally, photographs, slides and audio visual materials have been housed separately from text materials for preservation purposes, although removal forms still link the materials intellectually to the corresponding series.

Subjects: Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021, Kansas, Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Languages: English, Russian, Chinese

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Walt Riker Manuscript Collection, which spans the years 1943-2003, consists of correspondence, photographic and audiovisual materials, invitations, press passes and badges, maps, newspapers and clippings, books and magazines.

The majority of the collection relates to his tenure as Press Secretary for Senator Bob Dole. Riker worked alongside Senator Dole from 1981-1993, as his media specialist. Included in the collection are photographs of political functions, press releases, drafts of speeches, notes and itineraries. Many of the items reveal Riker’s close relationship with Senator Dole and his responsibility to promote the Senator’s public image. Also documented are Riker and Senator Dole’s extensive travels with the Congressional Delegation wherein they met such figures as Saddam Hussein, Pope John Paul II, and Deng Xiaoping, among others. Additional items not only portray Riker’s interest in politics, but also events closer to home including the Kansas City Royals World Series championship in 1985 and the Kansas Jayhawks Men’s Basketball championship in 1988.

In addition to materials pertaining to Riker's role as Press Secretary, a small portion of the collection includes essays and coursework related to Riker’s academic career at The University of Kansas. These materials consist primarily of graded papers from his time as a student at the William Allen White School of Journalism and are restricted to patron access in accordance with FERPA. The collection also includes memos and correspondence Riker acquired as a radio and television journalist for WIBW in Topeka, Kansas, from 1978-1981.

Collection Historical Note

Walter Riker (1947- ) was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. He attended the University of Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1970. Following his graduation from the University of Kansas, Riker toured the country as the drummer of “Thump Theater” before returning to Lawrence and the University of Kansas to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism. He graduated from the William Allen White School of Journalism with a Bachelors of Science in Broadcast Journalism in 1978. Shortly after, he began his broadcast career in radio and television at Channel 13-WIBW Topeka, an affiliate of CBS. Riker rose quickly through the ranks at WIBW, becoming the State House political correspondent. This position provided him the opportunity to report from the center of Kansas politics in Topeka, where he was introduced to Senator Dole.

After working at WIBW for four years, Senator Dole hired Riker in 1981 to be his Press Secretary. As Press Secretary, Riker accompanied Senator Dole throughout his political career, including his leadership positions as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senate Majority and Minority Leader and as a Presidential candidate in 1988. In addition to these duties, Riker also served as the communications leader for numerous Congressional Delegations that traveled the world, eventually visiting 58 countries with Senator Dole.

After 13 years of service, Walter Riker resigned as Senator Dole’s Press Secretary in 1993 to pursue a career in public relations at McDonalds. Riker’s tenure at McDonald’s culminated in a nine year stint as Vice President of Global Media Relations before his retirement in 2010. He remains a close friend of Senator Dole and was present at the dedication of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas in 2003.

Subject/Index Terms

Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021
Kansas
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Administrative Information

Repository: Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections

Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research, however, some materials within the Riker Papers are restricted because of their sensitive nature or because they contain personal or confidential information. These records are protected by federal laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Examples of restricted records are academic files and any materials containing personal information such as addresses and social security numbers. Restricted materials are identified at the box and/or folder level within the finding aid. Questions about these materials may be directed to the Senior Archivist of the Dole Archives.

Use Restrictions: Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different kinds of materials. Some of the documents and other historical materials in the Dole Archive are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. However, there are other materials that carry a copyright interest that must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Dole Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted materials.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Pre-Press Secretary, 1964-1981],
[Series 2: Press Secretary, 1981-1993],
[Series 3: Post-Press Secretary, 1993-2003],
[Series 4: Published Material, 1899-2001],
[Series 5: Objects],
[All]

Series 2: Press Secretary, 1981-1993

Sub-Series 1: Correspondence, Speeches and Memos, 1981-1993

Box 1

Folder 8: Articles, Correspondence, Invitations, Media Requests and Speech Drafts, [Folder 1 of 2], 1983-1989
Folder 9: Articles, Correspondence, Invitations, Media Requests and Speech Drafts, [Folder 2 of 2], 1983-1989

Box 2

Folder 1: Correspondence and Newsclippings, 1981-1985
Folder 2: Correspondence and Newsclippings, 1982, 1984-1986
Folder 3: Correspondence and Newsclippings, 1987-1993, undated
Folder 4: Itinerary, 1987 January 18-20
Folder 5: Memos and Correspondence, 1986, 1989-1990, undated
Folder 6: Office of the Majority Leader Stationery, undated
Folder 7: Planner, 1993
Folder 8: Speech Drafts, Correspondence and Memos, 1983-1987
Folder 9: Speech Drafts, Correspondence and Memos, 1986-1987, 1990
Folder 10: Speech Drafts and Memos, 1981, 1984-1986
Folder 11: Speech Drafts and Schedules, 1985

Box 7

Folder 1: Speech Drafts, Correspondence and Memos, (Photographs), 1986-1987, 1990

Box 3

Folder 1: Speech Drafts, Schedules and News Requests, 1985, 1988-1989

Sub-Series 2: Media and Public Relations, 1979-1993

Box 3

Folder 2: Articles, 1981-1982, 1990
Folder 3: Articles, Media Contacts and Photos, 1983, 1987-1988, 1990, undated
Folder 4: Campaign Press Kit, 1979
Folder 5: Caring, 1983 March
Folder 6: Correspondence, Invitations and Newsclippings, 1982-1986, 1989, 1993
Folder 7: "Crow from Dole, 1991
Folder 8: Kansas City Royals World Series, 1985
Folder 9: Media Requests, Correspondence, Political Cartoons and Newsclippings, 1982-1983, 1985-1986
Folder 10: Media Requests, Correspondence, Press Releases and Inauguration Invitations, 1981, 1985-1989
Folder 11: Newsclippings, 1988, 1990-1991, undated

Box 7

Folder 2: Articles, Media Contacts and Photos, (Photographs), 1983, 1987-1988, 1990, undated
Folder 3: Correspondence, Invitations and Newsclippings, (Photographs), 1982-1986, 1989, 1993
Folder 4: Kansas City Royals World Series, (Photographs), 1985
Folder 5: Media Requests, Correspondence, Political Cartoons and Newsclippings, (Photographs), 1982-1983, 1985-1986
Folder 6: Newsclippings and Press Photos, (Photographs), 1984, 1991, undated
Folder 7: Press Photos, 1982, 1984-1986, undated
Folder 8: Press Photos, (Photographs), 1982, 1986, undated
Folder 9: Press Photos, 1982, 1986-1987, 1989
Folder 10: Press Photos, (Photographs), 1983-1987, 1989, 1992, undated
Folder 11: Press Photos, (Photographs), 1984-1985, undated
Folder 12: Press Photos, (Photographs), [Folder 1 of 2], 1985-1991, undated
Folder 13: Press Photos, (Photographs), [Folder 2 of 2], 1985-1991, undated
Folder 14: Press Photos, 1988, undated

Box 17

Folder 11: Face-Off, Audio Cassette, 1986 February 24-28 and March 3-10
Folder 12: "Senator and Mrs. Dole," Larry King, Audio Cassette, 1983 September 23

Box 4

Folder 1: Newsclippings and Media Requests, 1986-1989
Folder 2: Newsclippings and Press Photos, 1984, 1991, undated
Folder 3: Newsletters and Family Weekly Article Draft, 1983, undated
Folder 4: Periodicals and Inauguration Invitations, 1982-1983, 1985
Folder 5: Photograph: Elizabeth and Senator Dole with Leader, undated
Folder 6: Press Photos, 1982, 1986, undated
Folder 7: Press Photos, 1983-1987, 1989, 1992, undated
Folder 8: Press Photos, 1984-1985, undated
Folder 9: Press Photos, 1985-1991, undated
Folder 10: Press Release and Kansas Daily News Summary, 1984-1985
Folder 11: Republican Staff Directory and Kansas Media Contacts, 1991-1993

Box 15

Folder 7: Newsclippings and Press Photos, (Slides), 1984, 1991, undated
Folder 8: Press Photos, (Slides), 1982, 1986, undated

Sub-Series 3: Memorabilia, 1974-1991

Box 19

Folder 1: Bush Inauguration Poster and Senate Majority logo, undated
Folder 2: "Republican Bob Dole for Congress" and Dole Certificate of Appointment to Reagan Social Security Commission, undated

Box 11

Folder 5: Campaign Posters, undated

Box 17

Folder 13: "Dole-Roy Ag Debate," Audio Cassette, 1974 September 21

Box 4

Folder 12: Telephone Directory and Pamphlets, 1989, 1991, undated

Box 10

Folder 1: Reagan/Bush Inauguration Invitation, Child's Drawing and Matted Photo, undated

Sub-Series 4: Presidential Campaign, 1985-1988

Box 4

Folder 13: American Politics, 1987 September
Folder 14: Campaigns and Elections, 1987 November/December
Folder 15: Campaign Notebook, 1988

Box 5

Folder 1: Campaign Strategy and Memos, 1988
Folder 2: Correspondence and Newsclippings, 1985-1989
Folder 3: Dole's Concession Announcement, 1988
Folder 4: Insight-The Washington Times, 1987 June 1
Folder 5: Memos, Newsclippings and Photos, 1987
Folder 6: Newsweek, 1988 February 22
Folder 7: Republican Nomination Campaign Materials, 1986-1987
Folder 8: Speech Draft, Presidential Candidacy Announcement, 1987
Folder 9: Speech Drafts, Newsclippings and Schedules, 1988
Folder 10: U.S. News & World Report, 1987 January

Box 7

Folder 15: Memos, Newsclippings and Photos, (Photographs), 1987
Folder 16: Republican Nomination Campaign Materials, (Photographs), 1986-1987

Box 10

Folder 2: Russell Daily News and Orlando Sentinel, 1988 February 24 and November 6: 3 copies of Russell Daily News

Sub-Series 5: Republican National Convention, 1984, 1988, 1992

Box 5

Folder 11: Floor Passes, Tickets and Invitations: Dallas, 1984
Folder 12: Floor Passes: New Orleans, 1988
Folder 13: Floor Passes: Houston, 1992
Folder 14: Official Guide, Republican National Convention: Dallas, 1984
Folder 15: Scheduling Notebook, 1984
Folder 16: Senator Robert Dole Brochure: New Orleans, 1988

Sub-Series 6: Travel, 1982-1990

Box 6

Folder 1: Congressional Delegation to Asia: Maps, Newspapers and Memorabilia, [Folder 1 of 2], 1985
Folder 2: Congressional Delegation to Asia: Maps, Newspapers and Memorabilia, [Folder 2 of 2], 1985
Folder 3: Congressional Delegation to Moscow, 1982
Folder 4: Congressional Delegation to Moscow: Maps and Memorabilia, 1982
Folder 5: Congressional Delegation to Moscow and Europe: Photos, 1983
Folder 6: Congressional Delegation: Vatican, 1985, undated
Folder 7: Italy Trip, 1985
Folder 8: Travel Schedules and Speech at Duke University, 1988 March

Box 15

Folder 1: Congressional Delegation to Europe and North Africa: Marrakech, Morocco, (Slides), [Folder 1 of 4], 1989 August
Folder 2: Congressional Delegation to Europe and North Africa: Rabat, Morocco and Earthquake Zone in Armenia, (Slides), [Folder 2 of 4], 1989 August
Folder 3: Congressional Delegation to Europe and North Africa: Warsaw and Gdansk, Poland, Armenia (Slides) [Folder 3 of 4], 1989 August
Folder 4: Congressional Delegation to Europe and North Africa: The Hague and Delft, Netherlands, President Bush visit in New Hampshire and Maine (Slides), [Folder 4 of 4], 1989 August
Folder 5: Congressional Delegation to South America: Panama, Bolivia, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Asunción, Paraguay, (Slides), [Folder 1 of 2], 1989 December 10-17
Folder 6: Congressional Delegation to South America: Caracas, Venezuela, Trinidad and Return Trip to Andrew's Air Force Base, (Slides), [Folder 2 of 2], 1989 December 10-17

Box 17

Folder 1: Congressional Delegation to Europe and North Africa: NBC WRC-TV Armenia Program, Video Cassette, 1989 July 5
Folder 2: Congressional Delegation to Middle East: "The Middle East," [Video Cassette 1 of 2], 1990 April 7-16
Folder 3: Congressional Delegation to Middle East: "The Middle East," [Video Cassette 2 of 2], 1990 April 7-16
Folder 4: Congressional Delegation to Middle East: "Saudi Sands to the Kremlin," Video Cassette, 1990 August 25 - September 5
Folder 5: Dole Master 1: "Andrews AFB - Italy - Desert Storm - Saudi Arabia," [Video Cassette 1 of 3], undated
Folder 6: Dole Master 2: "Edited Final," [Video Cassette 2 of 3], undated
Folder 7: Dole Master 3: "Edited Final," [Video Cassette 3 of 3], undated

Box 16

Folder 1: Congressional Delegation to Middle East: Damascus, Syria, (Slides), [Folder 1 of 4], 1990 April
Folder 2: Congressional Delegation to Middle East: Cairo Pyramids, Egypt, (Slides), [Folder 2 of 4], 1990 April
Folder 3: Congressional Delegation to Middle East: The Sphinx and Valley of the Kings, Egypt, (slides) [Folder 3 of 4], 1990 April
Folder 4: Congressional Delegation to Middle East: Luxor, Egypt, Jordan and Jerusalem, (Slides), [Folder 3 of 4], 1990 April
Folder 5: Congressional Delegation to Middle East: Ireland, (Slides), [Folder 4 of 4], 1990 April

Box 8

Folder 1: Congressional Delegation to Moscow, (Negatives), 1982
Folder 2: Congressional Delegation to Moscow and Europe: Photos, (Photographs), [Folder 1 of 2], 1983
Folder 3: Congressional Delegation to Moscow and Europe: Photos, (Photographs), [Folder 2 of 2], 1983
Folder 4: Congressional Delegation: Vatican, (Photographs), 1985, undated
Folder 5: Italy Trip, (Photographs), 1985

Box 18: Republic of China Trip, "With the Compliments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of China," Scrapbook, undated