Finding Aid for Robert and John Bitzer Chief Illiniwek Papers and Regalia, 1938-2007 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Carol Berthold

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Collection Overview

Title: Robert and John Bitzer Chief Illiniwek Papers and Regalia, 1938-2007

ID: 26/20/258

Primary Creator: Bitzer, Robert (1923-1996)

Other Creators: Bitzer, John (1952-2023)

Extent: 6.0 cubic feet

Arrangement: The materials are organized in two series: Series 1) Personal Papers and Series 2) Chief Illiniwek Regalia and Headdress Box. Series 1 is arranged alphabetically by subject. Series 2 is unarranged.

Date Acquired: 04/05/2024

Subjects: Beta Theta Pi, Chief Illiniwek, Marching bands, Marching Illini, Music -- Illinois, Native American, University of Illinois

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of correspondence, publication news clippings, yearbooks, and photographs collected by and regalia designed and worn by Robert and John Bitzer, documenting their role as Chief Illiniwek at the University of Illinois. Of note are the hand-made moccasins, pants, coat, and headdresses, created by Robert Bitzer.

Biographical Note

Robert L. Bitzer was born on March 30, 1923 in East St. Louis, IL and passed away on July 18, 1996 in Shelbyville, IL. As a child, Bitzer became interested in Native American lore and crafts through his time as a boy scout. In the late 1930s, Bitzer became an Eagle Scout, earning a silver palm in the organization. Bitzer attended the First Annual Boy Scout National Jamboree in 1937, where he and Indian lore specialist Carl Hubbard danced together in Native American regalia for the national assembly of scouts at the Commanche Trail Council Indian Camp. In 1938, he joined the Piasa Society of St. Louis, Mo., a group that was interested in Native American dancing traditions. Following this, Bitzer served as Chief Kahok, the mascot of Collinsville High School in Collinsville, IL from 1938 to 1941. After graduating, Bitzer was accepted at the University of Illinois, where he majored in business administration. He was, at the time, selected to serve as first alternate to Glen Holthaus for the role of Chief Illiniwek. After a year of studies, Bitzer was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a B-24 and B-29 pilot during World War II. At the end of the war, he returned to his studies at the University of Illinois. Bitzer became a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and in his first year back on campus earned the role of Chief Illiniwek. He would hold the position from 1945 to 1947, leading the Illini in their win over UCLA at the Rosebowl in 1947.

Following his time at the University of Illinois, Bitzer worked as the president of Bitzer-Tagart Motor Co., an auto dealership in Shelbyville and Sullivan, IL, for over forty years. He also served as a real estate and insurance broker in Central Illinois until he passed in 1996.

Subject/Index Terms

Beta Theta Pi
Chief Illiniwek
Marching bands
Marching Illini
Music -- Illinois
Native American
University of Illinois

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Acquisition Source: Maryann Bitzer

Acquisition Method: Gift.

Related Materials:

Richard Brooks Papers and Chief Illiniwek Triptych Panel Mural, 26/20/204

University Bands Collections, 12/9/93

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal Papers, 1920-2010],
[Series 2: Chief Illiniwek Regalia and Headdress Box, ca. 1950-1970],
[All]

Series 1: Personal Papers, 1920-2010

Consists of publications, notes, news clipping, articles. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order. Of particular note are Robert Bitzer's photographs and yearbooks from Collinsville High School.

Box 1

Folder 1: Book - The Removal of the Cherokee Nation, ed. Louis Filler & Allen Guttmann, 1962
Folder 2: Chief Illiniwek: History, undated: Publications, texts, drafts of statements
Folder 3: Chief Illiniwek: A Tribute to an Illinois Tradition; News Gazette, 2007: Publication with text and photographs.
Folder 4: Correspondence about Chief Illiniwek, 1970-1991
Folder 5: Donald Bitzer - Newspaper Articles about, undated
Folder 6: Handwritten Notes about Chief Illiniwek, ca. 1970s
Folder 7: John Bitzer - English II Journal, 1967-1968: Also contains comments from teacher.
Folder 8: John Bitzer - Newspaper Articles about, ca. 1970s
Folder 9: Note Cards about Chief Illiniwek, undated
Folder 10: Newspaper Articles about Chief Illiniwek, 1970s-2007
Folder 11: Newspaper Article about Collinsville High School Kahok Indian, 1971
Folder 12: Periodical Articles about Chief Illiniwek, 1970s-2007
Folder 13: Printed Materials about Chief Illiniwek, undated
Folder 14: Publications- Boy Scouts "Indian Lore," Merit Badge Series, 1942, 1959
Folder 15: Publications - Native American History, undated
Folder 16: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Freshman Year, 1938
Folder 17: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Sophomore Year, 1939

Box 2

Folder 1: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Junior Year, 1940
Folder 2: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Senior Year, 1941
Folder 3: Robert Bitzer - Newspaper Articles about, 1948-1980s

Box 3

Folder 1: Photographs - Family & Chief Illiniwek, undated
Folder 2: Bitzer Family Photo Album, 1968-1970s
Folder 3: Newspaper Article about Native American History, 1995
Folder 4: LIFE Magazine, "Our Indian Heritage", July 2, 1971
Folder 5: Newspaper Articles about End of Chief Illiniwek Mascot, Feb. - Mar., 2007

Series 2: Chief Illiniwek Regalia and Headdress Box, ca. 1950-1970

Consists of hand-made leather, bead, and metal crafts, a pipe, hand-painted headdress box, and spare materials used for the repair of the regalia. The regalia and objects in this series are unarranged.

Box 4

Item 1: Jacket, undated: Accession No.:2024.2620258.001
Item 2: Pants, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.002
Item 3: Gloves, undated: Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.003a; 2024.2620258.003b
Item 4: Moccasins, undated: Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.004a; 2024.2620258.004b
Item 5: Moccasins, undated: Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.005a; 2024.2620258.005b
Item 6: Moccasins, undated: Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.006a; 2024.2620258.006b
Item 7: Moccasins, undated: Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.007a; 2024.2620258.007b
Item 8: Belt, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.010
Item 9: Straps, undated: Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.013a; 2024.2620258.013b; 2024.2620258.013c; 2024.2620258.013d; 2024.2620258.013e
Item 10: Headdress, undated: Accession No. 2024.2620258.022
Item 11: Rabbit Pelts, undated: Accession No. 2024.2620258.023
Item 12: Spare Feathers, undated: Accession No. 2024.2620258.024
Item 13: Tandy Leather Company - Indian Lore Imitation Eagle Feathers Right, ca. 1950: Accession No. 2024.2620258.025
Item 14: Tandy Leather Company - Indian Lore Fluffy Plumes, ca. 1950: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.026

Box 5

Item 1: Chest Plate, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.008
Item 2: Pipe, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.021

Box 6

Item 1: Bells, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.014
Item 2: Bells, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.015
Item 3: Bells, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.016
Item 4: Bells, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.017
Item 5: Bells, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.018
Item 6: Bells, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.019
Item 7: Bells, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.020
Item 8: Belt, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.009

Box 7: Headdress Box, n.d.

Accession no. 2024.2620258.012.

Item 1: Headdress, undated: Accession No.: 2024.2620258.011

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal Papers, 1920-2010],
[Series 2: Chief Illiniwek Regalia and Headdress Box, ca. 1950-1970],
[All]