About the fund
May and Roland Korschgen were involved Corvallis community members from the early-to-mid 20th century. May left a quarter of her estate to Benton Community Foundation to establish an endowment for the benefit of the community. Distributable income from the Korschgen fund is granted to community charity during the annual community grants cycle.
Background
Roland F. Korschgen was born November 9, 1886, in Azerc, Missouri. He came to Corvallis as a young man and worked for Mr. McFadden in a butcher shop on Second and Monroe. He roomed with the Campbells in their home on Monroe Street and there he met his future wife, May Campbell. Roland and May married in 1914.
Career and Life Accomplishments
Soon after their marriage, the Korschgens moved to Pendleton to operate a butcher shop for several years. They returned to Corvallis, and Roland took a job with Nebergall Meat Company. He eventually started his own meat market on Monroe Street between Third and Fourth Streets. He also owned and operated a meat packing plant south of town at 2535 Southeast Third Street.
The Korschgens built their home at 412 North Ninth Street in the 1920’s. They had no children. May was an enthusiastic gardener and delighted in tending their beautiful yard. She was a homemaker who enjoyed needlepoint, antiques, and her cats.
Roland and May were active members in the Christian Church and both sang in the choir. They belonged to the Knife and Fork Club for many years. May was in Eastern Star. Roland was a member of Corvallis A.F. and A.M. #14, Al- Kader Temple, the Scottish Rite, and Corvallis Shrine Club. He was a charter member of Corvallis Rotary Club and was a faithful supporter, rarely missing a meeting. Roland also was a member of the Elks Lodge.
Roland Korschgen died March 29, 1956, and May died the following year on May 23, 1957. Friends and relatives remember Roland as an extremely hardworking man whose vocation and avocation were his meat business. They describe him as a tall and stately, serious, quiet man, and May as complementing him with her petite, friendly, outgoing nature.