The papers of Karl F. and Ruth B. Heiser document closely the family and personal lives of their subjects, but contain much less information about the Heisers’ occupations as psychologists. The collection consists almost entirely of the Heisers’ correspondence, the bulk of which was carried on between Karl and his family, between Karl and his first wife Jennie Byers Heiser, and between Karl and Ruth Heiser.

The exception to the collection’s composition of letters is the first series, which consists of Karl Heiser’s diaries.

Series I. Diaries, 1945-46

This series consists of Karl Heiser’s diaries, written from November 4, 1945 to February 1, 1946.

Series II. Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1922-1975 [span]

Karl and Ruth Heiser’s correspondence is almost all personal in nature, with the exception of some discussion of their careers as psychologists in subseries 3.

Subseries 1. Heiser Family, 1922-52 [span]

Correspondences between Karl Heiser and his family include a 1922 letter from Heiser to his grandfather. The remainder of the series ranges from 1929-52 in dates, and consists primarily of letters to Karl and Jennie Heiser from his mother, Alta Harvey Heiser. In these letters Karl is frequently addressed by his middle name of Florien. Also contained in the subseries are letters written by other family members including Karl Heiser’s brother Merrill, OC ’34, who often signed his name Dick. Merrill Heiser was stationed in Hawaii and the Marshall Islands during World War II, and family letters written between 1943 and 1947 often concern his military service. Letters from his wife (?) Hope are also included in the subseries.

Subseries 2. Karl Heiser and Jennie Byers Heiser, 1929-60 [span]

These letters from Karl Heiser to Jennie Vail Byers (later Jennie Byers Heiser) document their relationship and marriage. Letters to their children, Karl Robert Heiser and John Vail Heiser, are also included.

Subseries 3. Karl Heiser and Ruth Bishop Heiser, 1949-75 [span]

This subseries includes letters written between Karl Heiser and Ruth Bishop (later Ruth Bishop Heiser). This correspondence is primarily personal in nature, but some letters discuss the Heisers’ professions as practicing psychologists in Cincinnati, Ohio. Letters by other correspondents, primarily professional in nature, are also included in this subseries.

The Karl F. and Ruth B. Heiser Papers were received from Mr. Heiser in two installments in 1985. [accession 1986/28]