NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Monday, October 27, 1997

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

97-665 - Delaware Water Gap NRA (PA/NJ) - Death of Employee

District ranger Karl Theune, 46, died on the morning of Friday, October 24th,
following a long and tenacious battle with cancer.  Karl began working in the
park in 1970, just a few years after it was created.  Following an initial
appointment as a GS-3 fire control aid, he worked in a variety of seasonal
and part-time laborer, park aid and park technician positions until he took a
career position as a GS-5 park technician in the fall of 1975.  During that
same year, the park acquired jurisdiction over the Delaware River, and Karl
soon became supervisor of what was then the River Subdistrict.  He became
subdistrict ranger in 1981, then river district ranger in 1983.  Karl was the
dive master for the park and served a term as regional dive officer for Mid-
Atlantic Region.  During his career, Karl received numerous letters of
commendation, awards for safety, professionalism and management of river
operations, and several special achievement and performance awards for his
outstanding work as a ranger.  But Karl was much more than even these
accomplishments indicate.  His skills, dedication, and love for his work were
well-known among his co-workers, both past and present.  He set a standard
for dedication to service, commitment to work, and attention to detail.  Karl
was committed to improving the safety of visitors on the river; he
established a river camping and services program which increased recreational
opportunities for visitors, while striking a balance with the protection of
park resources.  Ranger Art North, who worked closely with Karl for most of
his career, offered this observation: "Karl was an individual of uncommon
common sense.  He was a mentor, colleague, and friend to many people on the
park's staff, and he will be missed by all."  Karl is survived by his wife,
B., his father, H., his mother, M., and his sister, L.  There will
be a viewing between 6 and 9 p.m. this evening at the Joseph Pula Funeral
Home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; the funeral will take place at 10 a.m.
tomorrow at St. Matthews Church in East Stroudsburg.  Condolences may be sent
to B.T., and/or to Mr. and Mrs. T.  Contributions may be
made to the Karl Theune memorial fund, which is being established to confer
an annual park award for excellence in ranger service.  Checks should be made
out to the DEWA Employee Association, and submitted care of Bill Halainen,
Delaware Water Gap NRA, Bushkill, PA 18324.  [Art North, Bill Halainen, DEWA,
10/27]

97-666 - Shenandoah NP (VA) - Aircraft Accident with Fatality

On the afternoon of October 26th, park dispatch received a cellular phone
call from a visitor reporting a small plane upside down in trees near Skyline
Drive south of Lewis Mountain campground.  Responding units determined that
the male pilot, who was found on the ground beneath the aircraft, had been
killed in the accident.  The single-engine Cessna was entangled in the trees
and dangling precariously about 70 feet above the ground.  Fuel was
apparently leaking from the plane.  A search of the area led to the tentative
conclusion that the pilot was the only person who'd been in the aircraft. 
Evidence was found on Skyline Drive, and the drive was accordingly closed
from Big Meadow (mile 50) to Swift Run Gap (mile 65).  At the time of the
report yesterday evening, an investigation was underway to assure that there
were no other people aboard the Cessna.  The plane was still in the trees and
unstable, so the area was sealed off.  Planning is underway for stabilization
and removal of the aircraft, recovery of the victim, and clean-up of
hazardous materials.  The drive will be reopened upon completion of evidence
recovery.  Identification of the victim is pending.  [Clay Jordan, IC, SHEN,
10/26]

                   [Additional reports pending...]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Submission pending.

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

EXCHANGE

No submissions.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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