The Robert K. Winters papers document his career with the Forest Service and reflect his interests in forestry as an international science and the history of forestry. The papers span the years 1923-1986 with the bulk of materials covering Winter's professional interests in a somewhat uneven manner. The strengths of the Winter's papers rest in his travel notes and diaries, his documenting of the formation of the International Union Society of Foresters (IUSF), the materials related to The Forest and Man, and the transcript of his oral history. Winter's duties as liaison officer to the War Production Board, his years as Chief of Central States Economics Research Division, and his service with Forest Products Marketing Research are not well documented by these papers. Similarly Winter's personal life is only thinly documented.
The Winter's papers are arranged in three groups: Personal; Professional; and Publications, Speeches and Writings. Within these groups, materials are arranged in a rough chronological order.
Robert K. Winters, born May 11, 1902, in Douglas, Michigan, earned three degrees from the University of Michigan: a Bachelor of Science of Forestry in 1924; a Master of Science of Forestry in 1925; and a Ph.D. in forestry in 1930. Upon completing his education, Winters embarked on a long career with the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, ending as Director of the International Forestry Division. After his retirement in 1967, Winter's involvement with international forestry did not abate; he continued to serve as international consultant to the Society of American Foresters until 1983.
Winter's career reflected his growing interest in international forestry and his writings reflect his persistent interest in forestry history. As Winter's career unfolded, he filled a variety of positions ranging from Forest Ranger to Regional Director of the Forest Survey, to Director of the International Forestry Division. His positions called on him to fill many roles: liaison between the Forest Service and the War Production Board; researching economic yield and productivity of forests; and training foreign nationals. Winter's service spanned the nation and the world, taking him from New Orleans, to Missoula, to Chittagong, Pakistan, to Washington, D.C. Through it all, Winters saw the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise, hence he devoted much time and energy to international conferences, professional organizations, and education. These interests carried through Winter's retirement, but he also had time to devote to history of forestry. It was at this time Winters researched and wrote The Forest and Man, a history of the world's civilizations and their use of trees.