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OldSmokeysNewsletterNewsletter of the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Retirees—Fall 2016President’s Message—Ron BoehmThe 2016 OldSmokeys Picnic in the Woods at the BLM’s Wildwood Recreation Area is history.It was a beautiful summer day and Chi Chang, culinary instructor at the Timber Lake Job Corps Conservation Center, and someof his students put on a fabulous feed for 145 OldSmokeys, their families and friends.Deputy Regional Forester and OldSmokey Becki Heath spoke. She mentioned the new Forest Service employees she has met aremotivated and enthusiastic about working for the Forest Service. After noting that the 2016 fire season has been quiet and seems tobe on track to be more like a “normal” fire season in Region 6, she warned us that the Sunday Oregonian would contain a supplement very critical of the Canyon Creek Fire on the Malheur National Forest last year.I read the article, “Burned” by Laura Gunderson and Ted Sickinger in the Sunday, August 14, edition of The Oregonian, and inmy opinion it was a good example of “Monday morning quarterbacking” of Sunday’s football game. It was critical of many commonpractices of Forest Service firefighting. I wondered what were the qualifications of the critics with regard to fighting fires.OldSmokey Kathy Geyer displayed an eye-catching lap quilt that she made incorporating signatures that she collected at the2015 picnic. She has donated the quilt to the OldSmokeys for auction at our 2017 spring banquet at the Charbonneau Country Club.The proceeds will go to the Elmer Moyer Emergency Relief Fund.OldSmokey Cindy Miner introduced the Acting Director of the Pacific Northwest Research Station, Dr. Felipe Sanchez. Dr.Sanchez has been in that position only since July 18 of this year.We were joined by several members of the board of directors of the National Museum of Forest Service History. Museum President and OldSmokey Tom Thompson spoke about their board meeting that morning and about plans for the future of the museum.Mt. Hood National Forest Supervisor and OldSmokey Lisa Northrop and her deputy Jim Demaag were in attendance, as was Zigzag District Ranger Bill Westbrook.The raffle for the handcrafted Sycamore Shaker Box donated by OldSmokey Dan Helm was won by OldSmokey Dottie Porter.I thank OldSmokey Rick Larson for coordinating the picnic; OldSmokeys Bev Pratt, Deb Warren, and Mary Moyer for greetingeveryone, supplying name tags, and handling the raffle; and everyone else who contributed the success of our Picnic in the Woods.Finally, it’s time to remind OldSmokeys who pay their dues annually that their 2017 dues are due by January 1, 2017. Pleasepay promptly to save our Membership Committee from spending hours and days reminding you to send in your 20.00. This yearyou can use PayPal to renew your membership. See page 3 for details.Ron BoehmInThisForum:“NewsIssue You Want, News You Need” 2OldSmokeysNews:Picnic.HeritagePhotos.Mike Kerrick Honored at Fish Lake.Mosquito Springs Project.more 2Forum:“NewsYou Want,News You Need” .2OldSmokeys News:Say: “ChiefJack Ward Thomas’LeadershipRecalled”byatRonPugh dFishLake.Mosquito Springs Project.more .2Forest ServiceNews:CanyonCreekThomas’Fire Criticism.PublicLands Threats.WildernessManagement Challenges.more .8OldSmokeysSay:“ChiefJack WardLeadership Recalled”by Ron Pugh .7ForestServiceNews:Creek FireCriticism.PublicLands Threats.Wilderness Management Challenges.more 8Changes:Updatesto Canyonthe OldSmokeysMembershipDirectory . 10Changes:Updatesto the OldSmokeysMembership Directory .10New Members:Introductionsof New OldSmokeys . .10NewMembers:IntroductionsNew OldSmokeys .10Memories:Remembrancesof ofRecentlyDeceased OldSmokeys .11Memories:Remembrancesof RecentlyDeceasedOldSmokeys .11Books: America’sAncient Forestsby ThomasM. Bonnicksenand Ponderosa by Carl E. Fiedler and Stephen F. A rno senPonderosaCarl E. FiedlerStephen F. Arno 13Films: “Kubo and the Two Strings and ‘DiscoverTheForest’ andSeemStrange byPartners”by Les andJoslin orest’SeemStrangePartners”byLesJoslin .13Out of the Past: “Plywood for Victory!” by Les Joslin .14Out of the Past: “Plywood for Victory!” by Les Joslin .14Uncle Sam’s Cabins: “Lake of the Woods Ranger Station and Suttle Lake Guard Station” by Les Joslin .14Uncle Sam’s Cabins: “Lake of the Woods Ranger Station and Suttle Lake Guard Station” by Les Joslin 14MyFirst entileininMormonMormonLand”JohnRiis .15My FirstLand”by byJohnRiis 15Visit the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Association website at: www.oldsmokeys.orgAnnual Dues for 2017 are Due on January 1. See Page 3!
OldSmokeys Newsletter — Fall 2016ForumNews You Want,News You Needpublished my editorials andyour op-eds as well as newsarticles about such topics asefforts to outsource ForestService jobs and sell off National Forest System lands, theneeds to restructure the ForestService and better prepare itspersonnel for meaningful andproductive public service, themisguided effort to abolish thePine Tree Shield as the ForestService symbol, an unnecessary plot to pay consultantsmillions to “rebrand” the Forest Service, and other topicsthat fall into the category ofnews we don’t necessarilywant but news we definitelyneed and, in some instances,need to address and redress.Readers have responded inways that have helped make apositive difference.A responsible editor—which I strive to be—doesn’tmake a “big story” out of every potential big story thatcomes along. This summer,for example, I received credible reports of inappropriateenforcement actions on thepart of a “badge heavy” wilderness ranger whose overreaching approach to this important job seems to requirecorrective action and seems toreflect a need for more selective recruiting, positive vetting, and better leadership forand training of seasonal forestofficers who represent theForest Service to national forest visitors. Instead of publishing a big story in this issue, Irecommended the reportingparties present their cases tothe responsible district rangerand apprise me of remedialaction and resolution—ifany—that may result.Along with publishing thenews I think OldSmokeyswant, I will continue to publish the news I think we needas long as I remain editor.I am not a professional journalist. My formal training injournalism is limited to a oneyear Monterey Union HighSchool course taught by a distinguished pre-World War IIPrague newspaper editor whoinvited my strict attention todeveloping my skills.I later wrote news releasesand articles while a ToiyabeNational Forest fire preventionguard in the 1960s and servedas a collateral duty public affairs officer in a couple U.S.Navy commands later in thatdecade and early in the next.Decades later I did not getany of the U.S. Forest Servicepublic affairs jobs for which Iapplied. For the past 10-plusyears I have edited ourOldSmokeys Newsletter.On June 23 I read the obituary of Jack Fuller, an awardwinning journalist and Chicago Tribune editor who made adistinction between “whatpeople want to know and whatthey need to know.” I found itencouraging. “If concentratingon what people want to knowmeans succumbing to directdemocratic rule of the sort youcan find on the internet” limitsan editor, he wrote, “it abandons the editor’s mission.”As one who sometimespublishes news some OldSmokeys might not want toknow, I believe I am accomplishing the mission of helpingOldSmokeys who retain aninterest in the Forest Serviceand its mission know some ofwhat they need to know anddo some of what they need todo. That is how I might helpsave the National Forest System and the Forest Service, therole I called “job one” for meas editor on the Forum page of --Les Joslinthe Spring 2006 OldSmokeys “I may disapprove of what you say,Newsletter.but will defend to the deathyour right to say it.”And so it is that, over the—Attributed to Voltairepast decade and more, I havePage 2OldSmokeys NewsOldSmokeys Welcomed National Museumof Forest Service History Contingentto Annual Picnic in the WoodsA grand total of 145 OldSmokeys gathered on a hot, sunny,August 12 day at Wildwood Recreation Area near Welches,Oregon, for the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Association(PNWFSA) annual Summer Picnic in the Woods to which theywelcomed OldSmokey and National Museum of Forest ServiceHistory (NMFSH) President Tom Thompson, officers, boardmembers, and directors who had just held their annual meetingnearby.A picture is worth a thousand words, and these captionedphotographs by OldSmokey President-elect Tom Mulder capture the spirit and some memorable moments of this summer’sgreat OldSmokey picnic. Starting with our NMFSH guests.OldSmokey and National Museum of Forest Service History(NMFSH) President Tom Thompson (center) and Kitty Thompson (right) and NMFSH Board Member Lynn Sprague arrivedat the OldSmokey picnic fresh from the NMFSH annual meeting.NMFSH Vice President and Emeritus Director Dave Stack andnew Executive Director Lisa Tate told the Museum story andhelped OdSmokeys renew their memberships or become newmembers.Photographs by Tom Mulder
OldSmokeys Newsletter — Fall 2016Page 3OldSmokeys Annual Dues for 2017 areDue and Payable on January 1, 2017PNWFSA President Ron Boehm and Donna (left) and Lindaand Carl Anderson (right) were among early picnic arrivals.It’s the time of year that OldSmokeys who pay their PacificNorthwest Forest Service Association (PNWFSA) dues on anannual basis pay those Annual Dues due on January 1. Thisyear you may pay your annual dues by PayPal by going to theOldSmokeys website at www.oldsmokeys.org and clickingon “Donations and Payments” and following the procedure.Or you may use the Bill for Collection coupon below to payyour 20.00 annual dues, convert to a Lifetime Membership fora one-time payment of 250.00 that frees you from paying annual dues ever again, and/or donate to one or more PNWFSAfunds.Pacific Northwest Forest Service AssociationBill For Collectionfor 2017 Annual Duesor Conversion to Lifetime Membershipand PNWFSA Fund DonationsDave Scott, Bob Hetzer, and Picnic Chair Rick Larson in caps.Supported by formerRegional Forester andformer PNWFSA presidentLinda Goodman, DeputyRegional Forester andOldSmokey Becki Heathprovided the annual afterlunch Pacific NorthwestRegion update on behalf ofRegional Forester andOldSmokey Jim Pena.Please make your check(s) for 20.00 Annual MembershipDues or 250.00 Lifetime Membership Dues andany amounts you may wish to contribute toany of the PNWFSA funds listed belowpayable to PNWFSA and mail to:PNWFSA, P.O. Box 5583, Portland, Oregon 97228Please check all that apply:First year of PNWFSA Membership— 0 (Free)Annual Membership Renewal— 20.00Lifetime Membership— 250.00Elmer Moyer MemorialEmergency Fund Donation— Project/Grant Fund Donation— General Fund Donation— NameStreet AddressCity State Zip CodeAny changes to your contact information?Any comments to share?Joining Linda Goodman (center) at the picnic were LorenaCorzett, who came all the way from Klamath Falls with DickCleveland, (left) and Mt. Hood National Forest Supervisor LisaNorthrop (right).Photographs by Tom Mulder
OldSmokeys Newsletter — Fall 2016Page 4Historic images which flank the main entrance doors to the newCascade Lakes Welcome Station help tell Deschutes NationalForest stories.Photograph by Robin GyorgyfalvyRegional Forester Jim Pena recognized Friends of Fish LakePast President Mike Kerrick after speaking at the Friends’annual meeting and work week.Courtesy of Rolf AndersonOldSmokeys Grant Funded “Glimpses ofDeschutes National Forest History”at New Welcome StationOldSmokey Mike Kerrick Honored atFriends of Fish Lake Annual Meetingand June 2016 Work WeekThis summer’s visitors to the Deschutes National Forest’s newCascade Lakes Welcome Station got a glimpse of that nationalforest’s heritage from a number of large historic images whichflank the station’s main entrance and likely will for many years.On one side of the entrance, the natural resources on whichCentral Oregon’s economy was built—timber, water, forage—are depicted. On the other, the amenity resources so importantto sustaining the region’s booming recreation economy—wilderness trails, fishing, sailing—are featured. Included, also,are the forest’s first forest ranger, Cy Bingham, in 1903, and his1942 successors in Forest Supervisor Ralph Crawford and hisdistrict rangers and fire staff officer.Installed at the welcome station on July 8, 2016, the historicphotographs stimulate visitor conversations with U.S. ForestService information specialists about the Deschutes NationalForest and its natural and cultural heritage—and help increaseknowledge and understanding of its resources and their management “for the greatest good.” Production of the historic photograph exhibit was funded by a 2015 OldSmokeys grant andguided by two OldSmokeys.OldSmokey Mike Kerrick, former forest supervisor of theWillamette National Forest and past president of the Friends ofFish Lake (FFL), was honored for his dedicated leadership ofthe continuing effort to restore and reuse the historic Fish LakeRanger Station and Remount Depot, now the Fish Lake HistoricSite, during the FFL’s June 19-24 annual work week.At the FFL’s annual meeting held during that work week,Regional Forester and OldSmokey Jim Pena thanked the FFLfor their ongoing work at the site and presented Mike with aPendleton blanket and a small statue of Gifford Pinchot inrecognition of his outstanding service, dedication, and leadership in establishing the FFL and inspiring its work. Also attending the annual meeting were Forest Supervisor Tracy Beck andformer Fish Lake fire guard and long-time site guardian JimDenney, now a Brooklyn, New York, artist.During the work week, 39 FFL members put in 685 hours ofwork that included finishing the restoration of the interior of theCommissary Cabin, repairing split rail fences and a corral gate,and reconstructing the Hall House stone steps and lava rockretaining wall as well as cleaning and oiling saddles and tackand general site cleanup.Recent FFL accomplishments other than during the workweek included purchase of shakes to re-shake the Hall Houseroof in 2017, commissioning an historic buildings assessmentof 12 structures to guide future restoration and maintenance, cohosting with the Backcountry Horsemen of Oregon a week-longon-site livestock demonstration, and helping the Sand MountainSociety celebrate the 25th anniversary of the reconstruction ofthe nearby Sand Mountain Lookout.Grants from the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Association and the Kinsman Foundation helped pay for the shakes andthe building assessment.Membership in the FFL is open to all who are interested inrestoring and maintaining the Fish Lake Historic Site. See thewebsite at www.fishlakehistoricsite.org for information.Deschutes National Forest Landscape Architect Robin Gyorgyfalvy (left) showed Deputy Chief for National Forest SystemLeslie Weldon (right) the new welcome center and the exhibitduring the vacationing deputy chief’s brief visit in July 2016.Both are OldSmokeys.Photograph by Les JoslinPrepared from information and with photographs provided by OldSmokey RolfAnderson.
OldSmokeys Newsletter — Fall 2016Page 5OldSmokeys Who Were RFRs Met inBend, Oregon, in July 2016These photographs show the historic Mosquito Springs TrailShelter during (left) and after (right) the OGWBS restorationproject.Photographs by Phil DoddOldSmokeys and Other OGWBS CrewRestored Mosquito Springs Trail Shelterin June 2016Seven remaining RFRs (Regional Foresters Representatives),all of whom are OldSmokeys, met in Bend, Oregon, on July29, 2016, for a reunion. Seated around a table at McGrath’sFish House in the above picture they are (left to right) DickBlashill of Por tland, Or egon; Fred Dutli of McKenzieBridge, Oregon; Doug Coon of Lakeview, Oregon; Earl Tuininga of Belfair , Washington; Dean Groshong of Pendeton,Oregon; Bill Case, their leader, of Prineville, Oregon; and NickNicholas of Ashland, Or egon.The RFRs helped implement and sustain the Regional SaleAdministration Certification Program for about 14 years. Theseremaining RFRs renewed friendships after 20 years or more, inmost cases, as they shared old “war stories.as well as theycould remember them,” according to Dick.An Old Guys Who Build Stuff (OGWBS) crew of OldSmokeysand others “made it over the crest of the Cascades to the eastside of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest” to restore the historic Mosquito Springs Trail Shelter, OldSmokey Jim Bull,Gifford Pinchot (east) PNWFSA representative, reported onJune 19, 2016.“On June 9, a crew of eight removed old roof shakes, rafters,and purlins, and installed new rafters and purlins pre-made overthe winter. On June 16, a crew of 13 installed new shakes onthe roof and along the bottom row of the north wall. Also, theaccumulated duff was removed from the interior and immediatesurrounding area,” Jim reported. “Old friends had a chance toreminisce and make new friends who share a common interest.”“An additional 12 individuals involved in eight work partiesbetween February 24 and June 8 gathered materials and premanufactured rafters, purlins, and shakes. A total of 281 person-hours were logged on the project,” Jim added.OldSmokey Phil Dodd, Gifford Pinchot National ForestPNWFSA area representative, narrated the process for a “Ratand Cat” online video series video that showed the crew in action and explained why OldSmokeys take on such volunteerjobs. “In addition to restoring the shelter, the OGWBS has volunteered to maintain it annually and will be signing an adopt-ashelter agreement with the Mt. Adams Ranger District,” Philadded.Originally built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corpsto provide shelter for U.S. Forest Service personnel working inthe field, the restored and maintained Mosquito Springs TrailShelter is now and will continue to be available for use byGifford Pinchot National Forest recreationists.In addition to Jim and Phil, OldSmokeys Roland Emetaz,Cheryl Mack, Rick McClure, and Tom Mulder wer e amongthe 13 U.S. Forest Service retirees and total of 27 people whoworked on the project.Eleven OldSmokeys were among 16 U.S. Forest Service retirees who made it to John Day, Oregon, for a May 2016 MalheurNational Forest retiree reunion tour of their old stompinggrounds.OldSmokeys in this group photograph taken in SummitPrairie on the Prairie City Ranger District are Roger Williams,Bob Hilliard, Ron Ketchum, Don James, Claude McLean,Dick Grace, Woody Williams, Ron Skrip, Chuck Graham,and Phil Kline, and Fred Dutli (not necessarily in the ordershown).Prepared from information provided by OldSmokeys Jim Bull and Phil Dodd.Prepared from submissions by OldSmokeys Woody Williams and Ron Skrip.Submitted by Dick Blashill.OldSmokeys Among Oldtimers at MayMalheur National Forest Retiree Reunion
OldSmokeys Newsletter — Fall 2016Page 6OldSmokeys WelcomeDeputy Chief Weldonas PNWFSA MemberOldSmokeys to Accept Grant Applicationsfor Projects Meeting PNWFSA Criteriathrough December 31, 2016Among the new members welcomedto Pacific Northwest Forest ServiceAssociation (PNWFSA) membershipon page 10 is Deputy Chief of theU.S. Forest Service for the NationalForest System Leslie A. C. Weldonand her husband Mike Weldon.Deputy Chief Weldon began herLeslie A.C. WeldonForest Service career in 1981 in thePacific Northwest Region as a summer hire on the Mt. BakerSnoqualmie National Forest where she monitored seedlings,fought wildfires, and surveyed spotted owls. In 1983, aftergraduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, she was appointed a fisheries biologist on that forest.Later in her professional career she returned to Region 6 asDeschutes National Forest supervisor from 2000 to 2007.The Pacific Northwest Forest Service Association (PNWFSA)Grants Committee will accept applications for grants to helpfund projects in 2017 that further PNWFSA goals within thePacific Northwest Region.Applications for PNWFSA grants to be awarded in 2017 areinvited from private, non-profit, or non-governmental organizations pursuing such goals. Grants will not be made directly tothe U.S. Forest Service. About 5,000 will be available for2017 grants, and applications are due December 31, 2016, according to Grants Committee chair OldSmokey Charlie Krebs.Grant criteriaGrants are awarded to organizations that satisfy the donationpolicy adopted by the PNWFSA Board of Directors on February 27, 2009. This policy specifies “Grants or gift proposalswill be judged according to the following criteria: Does it further the OldSmokeys mission? Will the project have a lasting influence on national forestmanagement, natural resource management, and help sellthe public on the importance of these resources? Will it reach large numbers of people? Can OldSmokeys funds be leveraged with other funds? Will a restoration or improvement project help sustain ourForest Service legacy? Will the PNWFSA receive visible and lasting credit forparticipation? Is it a project that ‘feels good’ to us and reminds us of whywe chose to throw in with the Outfit for our careers?Not all of these questions will apply to every proposal, but running through this checklist should help the PNWFSA get themost bang for its buck. Applications for grants, therefore,should reflect these policy specifications and criteria.Grant applicationsIf you know of a worthy eligible potential recipient of a PNWFSA grant, please let that party know of this opportunity. Grantapplications should be prepared as letters that describe the proposed project and enumerate how its accomplishment wouldsatisfy the above criteria.Additionally, for grant requests supporting U.S. Forest Service projects, a statement of support for and commitment to theproject signed by the cognizant line officer (e.g., forest supervisor or district ranger) must be submitted with the application.Grant applications should be submitted electronically to theGrants Committee via the [email protected] mailboxnot later than December 31, 2016.Photograph courtesy of Oregon Forest Resources Institute.OldSmokey Stan Kunzman Helped Savea Life, Taught Outdoor Skills to Kids“If you guys weren’t there on April 15, I wouldn’t be here onJuly 5,” an emotional Ed Pond of Redmond, Oregon, told careerU.S. Navy veteran Jim Morrell and his friend OldSmokey StanKunzman at an awar d cer emony at the Sister s, Or egon, fir ehall honoring the friends and emergency personnel who savedhis life.The two friends were helping Pond, 72, fall trees on hisproperty near Sisters when he suffered full cardiac arrest. Hewas not breathing, had no pulse, was clinically dead. Jim administered CPR while Stan ran to a neighbor’s house to call forhelp. The neighbor turned out to be a volunteer fire captain withSisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District and helpwas soon on the way.Later in the summer, Stan taught outdoor skills includingbasic land navigation—or what you do when your GPS batterygoes dead—to about 30 youngsters at the July 8-10 RockyMountain Elk Foundation annual Oregon Summer Rendezvousat Lake Creek Camp on the Malheur National Forest. After fourhours of classroom instruction and a field exercise, these kidswere better prepared to travel in the backcountry without getting lost, and to find themselves if they were to get lost.Stan also served his eighth summer as a volunteer interpreting the OldSmokey-sponsored High Desert Ranger Station tovisitors at the High Desert Museum south of Bend, Oregon.Prepared from multiple sources including “Celebrating a life saved” by JimCornelius in the July 12, 2016, Sisters, Oregon, NuggetNews.com.OldSmokeys and Smokejumpers a Big Hitat High Desert Museum This SummerA record 1,965 visitors experienced the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Association (PNWFSA)-sponsored High DesertRanger Station while uncounted thousands saw the NationalSmokejumper Association (NSA)-sponsored “Smokejumpers:Firefighters from the Sky” exhibit at the High Desert Museumsouth of Bend, Oregon, this summer.OldSmokeys News continues on Page 7OldSmokeys grants support manyU.S. Forest Service heritage andnatural resource projects whichadvance public appreciation andunderstanding of America’sNational Forest System!
OldSmokeys Newsletter — Fall 2016OldSmokeys SayChief Jack Ward Thomas’Leadership RecalledBy Ron PughEditor’s Note: Many OldSmokeys haveshared their memories of and tributesto our recently late Chief of the ForestService online in OldSmokeys eForum Jack Ward Thomasmessages. All are special. Ron Pugh’s “story about Jack WardThomas that almost no one knew, but everyone knew about” isextra special in terms of the example of leadership it set.In October 1996, the Oakridge Ranger Station on theWillamette National Forest was burned to the ground by arson.There was an immediate response from the FBI, ATF, OregonState Police, and of course U.S. Forest Service law enforcement. The FBI assumed the lead, which typically means that allother agencies are to step aside—get out of the way.Within a few days of the fire, Jack came to Oakridge andviewed the site and met with the devastated employees. I wasthere and watched him comfort each one of them. Later thatafternoon, he asked me to meet with the agents involved in theinvestigation. My supervisor and I were there, as well as thesupervisory staff of the FBI, ATF, and Oregon State Police.After being briefed on what we knew, and unfortunately atthat time what we didn’t know, Jack thanked everyone. Then heturned to my supervisor and asked, “Who will be representingthe Forest Service in this investigation?” My supervisor pointedto me and said, “Ron will be the Forest Service case agent.”Jack pointed his finger straight at me and stated, “You will never have a more important assignment in your career than tosolve this case.” I looked at him and said, “I won’t let youdown, Chief.” The room was silent for a moment. Then everyone thanked each other and Jack and my supervisor departed.Then the FBI and ATF supervisors turned to me and exclaimed how impressed they were that not only did our agencyhead come here in person, but that he took such a commandingrole. They were clearly impressed. Then they told me, “Wewant you to know that direct order from your Chief was not justfor you. We heard it an ‘we’re in.’” Over the next ten years,they walked that talk.For the next six years, I worked pretty much full time on thatinvestigation, partnered directly with an FBI agent, with manyothers helping along the way. We followed hundreds of leads,all turning out to be false, all over the United States. Eventhough there were many frustrating times, we never gave up.Whenever we thought about it, one of use would mention Jackand his finger pointing, and we would get back at it.By 2003 the case had really gone cold. I had the chance tomove into management, and did. I called Jack and told him Ihad failed my direct order from the Chief. He was very graciousand asked that if anything ever changed, to please let him know.In 2005, a new lead developed that turned the case from“cold” to “red hot.” Since I was in management, I did not carrya case load, but I supervised those who did. I assigned this caseto one of those subordinated, and followed Jack’s lead. I pointed my finger at her and told her, “You will never have a moreimportant case in your career than this one.”Page 7In January 2006, after dozens of secret indictments werehanded down, a multi-agency, nationwide arrest operation waslaunched. During a few-day sweep, 23 people were arrested for26 different arson fires, including the Oakridge Ranger Stationfire. The responsible group went by the name of Earth Liberation Front (ELF). As soon as it was OK to do so, and before themedia were alerted I called Jack and was finally able to saythose three words I’d waited nearly a decade to say: “We got’em.” He was elated, and clearly touched and appreciative.I’m not here to say that Jack Ward Thomas was the onlyperson responsible for the success of that investigation. But I doknow that his commanding leadership with and of the right people in that meeting in Eugene definitely had a huge impact onthe course of the Oakridge Ranger Station arson investigationand how it became part of a much larger national assault.So, in addition to all the hundreds of accomplishments andcontributions Jack made to the Forest Service, and to humankind, this is one of which I doubt even he recognized the significance. I am honored to have known him.Addendum to Summer 2016OldSmokeys Newsletter Memories:Jack Ward ThomasJack is survived by his wife Kathy (Connelly), sonsGreg and Britt, stepson and daughter Paul and ErinConnelly, and their families including six grandchildren. Jack met Kathy, who was Deputy Chief for Administration, while both were in the Washington Office.In 1996 they retired and married., moving to Florence,Montana. She was his constant companion and supporter, accompanying him on many trips for organizationssuch as the Boone and Crockett Club, Rocky MountainElk Foundation, and the University of Montana, amongothers.Many thanks to OldSmokey Beth Horn for providingthis information missing from the Summer 2016 issueremembrance.OldSmokeys News continued from Page 6Staffed on weekends during June and daily from July 1through Labor Da
Newsletter Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Retirees—Fall 2016 . “Burned” by Laura Gunderson and Ted Sickinger in the Sunday, August 14, edition of The Oregonian, and in . Or you may use the Bill for Collection coupon below to pay your
