Peter and Linda Janke papers

Peter King Janke was born on July 16, 1940 in Oregon. He graduated from Reed College with a BA in Psychology in 1962. His mother, Ruth McDonald Janke ‘30, and his brother, Tim Janke ‘68, also graduated from Reed College. After graduating, Peter studied for a few semesters at UC Berkeley where he was part of the Sproul Hall 800, a group of students that were arrested for a sit-in in Sproul Hall. He taught English as a Second Language in Kumasi, Ghana through the Peace Corps and went on a hitchhiking/backpacking trip across 31 countries. He studied Germanic Literature at UC Santa Barbara, graduating in 1971, and became a teacher in the Portland, Oregon area. He taught English, French, German, and English as a Second Language. In 1975 Peter Janke met Linda Williams Janke while working together at CODA Drug Treatment Programs in Portland and they married in 1980. According to Linda's obituary in Oregon Live, this was the second marriage for both, but lasted the remainder of her life. Linda’s first marriage ended in the late 1970’s and resulted in one son, two daughters and nine grandchildren. It was during her marriage to Peter that Linda became an accomplished actress and traveled the world. Linda was born in Pinehurst, N.C., June 22, 1943, though she considered herself a native Portlander. She attended Catholic school in Portland from first grade through her senior year and during his candidacy, met John F. Kennedy, touched him on the shoulder and told him that her parents would vote for him. Linda was well-loved and respected in the Portland theater community. She starred in and directed dozens of productions and was a mentor to many. Linda lost her battle with cancer at the age of 78 on March 18, 2022 and is deeply missed by Peter, their children, grandchildren and the Portland Theater Community. Information about Linda Janke found in her official obituary published by The Oregonian from Apr. 15 to Apr. 17, 2022.