Theodore (or Ted) Paul Bank II was born on August 31, 1923 in Patterson, Louisiana. From 1941-1943 his studies included a variety of things, but his primary interest was Biology at Harvard University. During World War II, he served as a naval weather observer in the Aleutians Islands and the North Pacific. After the war, he returned to his studies and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Forestry at the University of Michigan. In 1950, he earned his Masters Degree in Ethnobotany from the University of Michigan. He did postgraduate work in Anthropology at the University of Michigan from 1947 to 1953 (Consortium Library, Archives and Manuscripts Department).
Theodore Paul Bank II was married three times, to three different people. His first wife, Janet Fowler was his wife from 1948-1953. His second wife, Shirley Waterman lasted slightly longer, from 1954-1962, and Trina Paula Lindenstein, his third and final wife who remained with him for the rest of his days 1963-1981. He had two children, Theodore Paul Bank and Kristin Kara Bank. Often, during his journeys and field work, Theodore took his family with him and they assisted him in the field. Sadly, Theodore passed away in June of 1981 (Consortium Library, Archives and Manuscripts Department).
Theodore Paul Bank II was a member of many professional organizations, many of which were related to Anthropology or the sciences. Some of these included the American Anthropological Association, the Society of American Archaeology, the Polar Society, and the Pacific Science Association. He was also a Fellow of the Explorers Club, and wrote many different articles for their journal (The Explorers Journal), as well as being a proud carrier of Explorers Club Flag #159. Throughout his studies and travels, Theodore wrote many books and articles, one of which included Birthplace of the Winds (1956), which was a personal account of one of his early expeditions.
Throughout his life, Theodore took part and lead many different scientific expeditions to the Aleutian Islands and Japan (1955-1956), Argentina, West Africa, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific.
Theodore held many different titles during his professional career. They included a village teacher in Atka, Alaska (1948-1949); Executive Director of the American Institute for Exploration (1954-1981); Visiting Lecturer at the University of Hokkaido (1955-1956); Research Associate at the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology (1956-1957); Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Chicago Teachers College North (1961-1963); Social Research Anthropologist at Agnews State Hospital (1965-1966); Visiting Lecturer at the College of San Mateo (1965-1966); Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Chapman College, Seven Seas Division (1967); Professor of Social Science at Western Michigan University (1967-1981); and Director of the Aleutian-Bering Sea Institutes Program (1969-1981) (Consortium Library, Archives and Manuscripts Department).
Resources
Theodore Paul Bank http://www.lib.uaa.alaska.edu/archives/CollectionsList/CollectionDescriptions/ALBtoB/BANKTP.wpd.html, (2002)
Written By: Ted Katzung, 2002