Interview with Robert Mittelstaedt, August 5, 2024

Interview Summary

Robert Mittelstaedt served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Micronesia from 1969 to 1970. Bob grew up in Los Angeles, California, and studied Political Philosophy at Claremont Men’s College (now Claremont McKenna College). Having applied for Conscientious Objector draft status, Bob considered alternative services, and decided to apply to Peace Corps. His Peace Corps training was in San Jose, California, and in Truk (Chuuk). Bob was assigned to teach English on Pulap, a remote island with a population of approximately 400 people. The subsistence lifestyle with minimal physical trappings appealed to him, and he had no problem adjusting. Bob taught English, and helped local counterparts improve their skills at teaching English. He began to question the value of the Peace Corps program to the people of a remote island community, and decided to terminate his service after one year. After retirement Bob made an effort to reconnect with fellow Micronesia RPCVs, and traveled back to Pulap. In spite of his early separation, he is a huge fan of Peace Corps.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Truk (Chuuk), Micronesia (country of service) 1969-1970 (date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Peace Corps (U.S.) – Training (cultural, language, technical) Vietnam War Conscientious Objector Claremont Men’s College Trukese (language) Pulap Island (assignment) early termination of service school construction

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Interview Usage

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