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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Monday, April 30, 2007 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Mount Rushmore NM Death Of Park Employee Darrell Martin, the park's assistant chief of interpretation and American Indian liaison with the Lewis and Clark Trail National Historic Trail and Corps of Discovery II, died unexpectedly at his home early on the morning of Thursday, April 26th. Darrell was 41 years old. He began working for the National Park Service in November of 2004 with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. He moved to Mount Rushmore approximately two years ago, where he remained active with Lewis and Clark and with the park's interpretation program. Prior to working for the National Park Service, Darrell served as the chairman for the Gros Ventre Tribe of Montana. His wife, Z., and adult children survive him. He was full of life, full of energy, and touched everyone he met in a very positive way. Darrell was extremely proud to serve as a National Park Service ranger and to be part of the NPS family. Funeral services have been set for 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2nd, at the St. Paul Mission in Hays, Montana. Burial will follow next to his father on his home ranch in Montana. Darrell will go to his rest in a National Park Service uniform. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 4th, in the amphitheater at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Notes of support may be sent to Darrell's wife, Z.M. [Mike Pflaum, Chief Ranger] Denali NP Climbing Victim Identified As Past NPS Employee The park has released the name of the climber who died on Mt. Wake on Monday, April 23rd. L.-K.K., 38, of Seattle, Washington, died from injuries sustained in a 1,000-foot fall that occurred while rappelling the technical Northeast Ridge. Her climbing partner did not directly witness the fall, and it remains unknown exactly what caused the rappelling accident. L. - then L.B. - was a former seasonal climbing ranger and member of the search and rescue team at Mount Rainier NP. A current US Forest Service employee living in the Seattle area, she would often help with SAR missions at Mount Rainier during the fall, winter and spring. She and her husband, C.K., another former climbing ranger, last assisted the park in the search for two RMI guides in the winter of 2005. Mike Gauthier, the park's search and rescue coordinator, writes this about Lara: “She was an exceptional climber, snowboarder, surfer and world traveler. When choosing adventures, Lara always sought remote locations off the beaten path. She did not seek the spotlight, but was easily recognized as a leader amongst her friends. Her independent spirit touched many people, including people at Mount Rainier.” [Kris Fister, Public Affairs, Denali; Mike Gauthier, Search and Rescue Coordinator, Mount Rainier] Blue Ridge Parkway Death Of Park Employee George Belcher, the maintenance mechanic at Peaks of Otter, passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, April 20th. George was an extremely hard worker with a much admired "first in, last to leave" work ethic. His work at the park directly impacted the multitudes of visitors that passed through Blue Ridge Parkway each year. George was known to do anything he could to help anyone who needed it, which was quite apparent at the throng of friends, relatives, and co-workers who attended his "Celebration of Life" service on his hilltop farm. George served his country as a chief petty officer in the Coast Guard for 20 years before he came to the park as a maintenance mechanic. He referred to the park as "his dream job," and it certainly showed in his work and dedication to the job. As a long-time resident in Bedford, George was a true park neighbor. He is survived by his wonderful wife, M.L.R., whom, as George lovingly expressed, "made him complete." George will be greatly missed. He was a tremendous person and "Brother in Green and Grey." [Lewis G. Prettyman]
OTHER NEWS The following stories can be read on either the InsideNPS web site (if you are within the National Park Service) or at the InsideNPS public ‘news digest' site (if you are outside of the NPS). The web sites appear below: Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services - Sadly, today's edition carries reports of three employee deaths, two of whom were current permanent employees and one of whom was a former seasonal climbing ranger. A link is provided to guidelines that the NPS has prepared for those who will be remembering and honoring them at funerals and/or park ceremonies. Sand Creek Massacre NHS - On Saturday, April 28th, Director Bomar helped dedicate the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site - the 391st unit of the National Park Service - on the site of the massacre, about 180 miles southeast of Denver, near Eads, Colorado. Great Smoky NP - The park is extending its vacancy announcement for two district ranger positions. The announcement, originally slated to close on April 30th, has been extended to May 11th. To see the above articles, go to InsideNPS ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/" http://inside.nps.gov/) or NPS Digest ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/). For NPS incident reporting standards, go to HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363 * * * * * Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-426-2430). --- ### --- |