Dick Koerner

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Interviewee Sort descending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Bill Buksyk People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Bill Buksyk was born on August 26, 1930, in Neenah, Wisconsin. He grew up in a family where sturgeon spearing was a common activity, introduced to him by his older brothers. After completing high school, Buksyk joined his brothers in sturgeon spearing, initially serving as an assistant. His early experiences involved traditional, manual methods of ice cutting and fishing. Buksyk's first sturgeon spearing experiences were under the guidance of his brother Elmer. Over the years, he developed his skills and eventually acquired his own fishing shanty.

Dick Koerner Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Bob and Darlene Homan People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

On June 5, 2007, Dick Koerner interviewed Bob and Darlene Homan about Darlene's record sturgeon and other spearing stories. Darlene Homan, born on October 20, 1931, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, holds the record as the top female sturgeon spearer on Lake Winnebago. Bob Homan, born on April 16, 1930, in Menasha, Wisconsin, has been a long-time participant in the sport. Darlene became involved in sturgeon spearing through her husband's influence and her participation in local organizations like Payne's Point Hook & Spear Fishing Club and Sturgeon for Tomorrow.

Dick Koerner Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Bob Frank People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Dick Koerner interviewed Bob Frank for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish project. Bob Frank, born in 1932 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, has been a resident of Neenah, Wisconsin, and an avid participant in the sturgeon spearing tradition for over fifty-five years. In this interview, Frank shares insights into the evolution of sturgeon spearing, reflecting on the changes in regulations and techniques over the decades.

Dick Koerner Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Carl Jersild People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

On May 5, 2007, Dick Koerner interviewed Carl Jersild for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish oral history project. Jersild, a resident of Neenah, Wisconsin, with roots in Colorado, has spent most of his life around Lake Winnebago, where he developed a passion for sturgeon spearing, a sport he took up approximately twenty years prior to the interview. The interview begins with Jersild discussing his early life, including his move from Colorado to Wisconsin due to his father’s military service during World War II.

Dick Koerner Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Dan Gerhardt People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Dick Koerner interviewed Dan Gerhardt for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish project. Dan Gerhardt was born in Neenah, Wisconsin, in 1940 and has fished in Lake Winnebago for most of his life, moving to Pine River, Wisconsin, around 1995-1996. The interview begins with Dan recounting his early interest in sturgeon spearing, which started when his father took him out on the lake in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He recalls spending time in the shanties of seasoned spearers like Frank Besson Stein, Freddie Whitburn, and Woody Rabideau.

Dick Koerner Pine River, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Donald Petersen, Sr. People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Interviewed by Dick Koerner, Donald Petersen, Sr. (also known as Old Timer or O.T.) discusses his experiences with sturgeon spearing. He talks about changes in the sport, his spearing history, and preferences for recipes, spearing locations, and spears.

Dick Koerner Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Ed Gorchals People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Dick Koerner interviewed Ed Gorchals for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish project. Ed Gorchals was born on October 1, 1928, in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, and has lived in Larsen, Wisconsin, for many years, where he resides close to the lake with a channel at the back of his house. The interview begins with Gorchals recounting his early interest in sturgeon spearing, influenced by friends and the teachings of John Jorgensen’s father, who was instrumental in introducing Gorchals to the sport.

Dick Koerner Larsen, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Elmer Kuchenbecker People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

On May 29, 2007, Dick Koerner interviewed Elmer Kuchenbecker for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish project in Neenah, Wisconsin. Elmer Kuchenbecker, an 81-year-old lifelong resident of Neenah, shared his extensive experience as a sturgeon spearfisher and his deep connection to the local fishing traditions. He began sturgeon spearing in 1946 after acquiring his first set of fishing equipment for $25, which sparked a passion that lasted for decades.

Dick Koerner Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
John Jurgenson People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

On May 29, 2007, Dick Koerner interviewed John Jurgenson for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish oral history project. Born on June 27, 1930, in Neenah, Wisconsin, Jurgenson grew up in a family involved in sturgeon spearing, a tradition passed down by his father. Jurgenson discusses the evolution of regulations, noting that while fishermen were once allowed to spear up to five sturgeons, current regulations limit them to one.

Dick Koerner Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Lynn and Larry Benedict People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Larry Benedict, born in Oshkosh in 1932, has been involved in sturgeon spearing for over 55 years, having learned the sport from his father. He has consistently participated in sturgeon spearing, only missing one year due to heart surgery. Larry's wife, Lynn Benedict, born in Chicago in 1936, became interested in sturgeon spearing through her husband and has been an active participant, having speared around 20 sturgeons. Over the years, the couple has shared experiences of sturgeon spearing, including memorable catches and challenges faced while out on the ice.

Dick Koerner Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum