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In Memoriam
Peter C. Lev
Peter C. Lev
1940-2025
Peter Charles Lev, 85, passed away on April 27, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. Born on March 4, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, Peter spent most of his life in the mountains: climbing, skiing, avalanche forecasting, and, as he often said, escaping the “real world.” His passion for the outdoors shaped both his adventurous spirit and his life’s work.
Peter began guiding for Exum Mountain Guides in 1960, where he found not just a job but a calling. In between summers guiding Peter attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1964. As he continued to build up his experience with Exum, he also served as the rock-climbing director at the Minnesota Outward Bound School from 1967-70.
In 1978, he purchased a portion of Exum from Glenn Exum, helping carry forward Glenn’s legacy and playing a key role in shaping Exum into the respected institution it is today. After retiring from Exum in 2006, Peter continued guiding for another four years with Sylvan Rocks in the South Dakota Needles, finally hanging up his guiding gear at age 70. He continued to climb and ski, well into his late seventies.
Peter was a member and/or guide for several major mountaineering expeditions, including the North Face of Mount Robson (1969), the American Dhaulagiri Expedition (1973), the U.S.-USSR Pamir Expedition (1974), the American-Indian Nanda Devi Expedition (1976), Island Peak (1977), Mount Huntington (1980), and Tent Peak, Tharpu Chuli (1984).
Beyond climbing, Peter dedicated much of his life to skiing, snow science, and avalanche forecasting. He worked as a ski patroller at Vail Mountain (1964–65) and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (1965–67), a ski instructor at Bridger Bowl (1967–70), and a heli-ski guide for Wiegele Heli-Skiing (1975–81) in British Columbia. He served as a research assistant for the U.S. Army Mountain Snowpack Project at Montana State University (1967–70), a snow ranger for the U.S. Forest Service (1970–75), an instructor for the National Avalanche School for the Forest Service (1972-83), an instructor for the American Avalanche Institute (beginning in 1976), an associate professor of Snow Dynamics at the University of Utah (1982–90), and an avalanche forecaster for Alta Ski Area and the Utah Department of Transportation (1983–90). Peter also wrote extensively on avalanche terrain and served as an expert witness in several court cases involving mountain accidents.
Despite his many accomplishments, Peter was always a humble man. He didn’t care for the spotlight and often spoke about how the ego is the most dangerous thing you can carry into the mountains. He was a strong leader and a steady mentor to many people throughout the years.
More than anything though, Peter was a devoted father to his daughter, Alexandra, taking immense pride in passing down his love for the mountains to her. In the final years of his life, his greatest joy was becoming a grandfather to Gemma, a role he embraced with deep love and joy.
1940-2025
Peter Charles Lev, 85, passed away on April 27, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. Born on March 4, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, Peter spent most of his life in the mountains: climbing, skiing, avalanche forecasting, and, as he often said, escaping the “real world.” His passion for the outdoors shaped both his adventurous spirit and his life’s work.
Peter began guiding for Exum Mountain Guides in 1960, where he found not just a job but a calling. In between summers guiding Peter attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1964. As he continued to build up his experience with Exum, he also served as the rock-climbing director at the Minnesota Outward Bound School from 1967-70.
In 1978, he purchased a portion of Exum from Glenn Exum, helping carry forward Glenn’s legacy and playing a key role in shaping Exum into the respected institution it is today. After retiring from Exum in 2006, Peter continued guiding for another four years with Sylvan Rocks in the South Dakota Needles, finally hanging up his guiding gear at age 70. He continued to climb and ski, well into his late seventies.
Peter was a member and/or guide for several major mountaineering expeditions, including the North Face of Mount Robson (1969), the American Dhaulagiri Expedition (1973), the U.S.-USSR Pamir Expedition (1974), the American-Indian Nanda Devi Expedition (1976), Island Peak (1977), Mount Huntington (1980), and Tent Peak, Tharpu Chuli (1984).
Beyond climbing, Peter dedicated much of his life to skiing, snow science, and avalanche forecasting. He worked as a ski patroller at Vail Mountain (1964–65) and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (1965–67), a ski instructor at Bridger Bowl (1967–70), and a heli-ski guide for Wiegele Heli-Skiing (1975–81) in British Columbia. He served as a research assistant for the U.S. Army Mountain Snowpack Project at Montana State University (1967–70), a snow ranger for the U.S. Forest Service (1970–75), an instructor for the National Avalanche School for the Forest Service (1972-83), an instructor for the American Avalanche Institute (beginning in 1976), an associate professor of Snow Dynamics at the University of Utah (1982–90), and an avalanche forecaster for Alta Ski Area and the Utah Department of Transportation (1983–90). Peter also wrote extensively on avalanche terrain and served as an expert witness in several court cases involving mountain accidents.
Despite his many accomplishments, Peter was always a humble man. He didn’t care for the spotlight and often spoke about how the ego is the most dangerous thing you can carry into the mountains. He was a strong leader and a steady mentor to many people throughout the years.
More than anything though, Peter was a devoted father to his daughter, Alexandra, taking immense pride in passing down his love for the mountains to her. In the final years of his life, his greatest joy was becoming a grandfather to Gemma, a role he embraced with deep love and joy.
Jerry Balint AKA ‘Cool Breeze’
Jerry led a full and active life. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, he settled in San Diego, California, in 1957. He took up sky diving, making more than 300 jumps over the next few years. He became an avid surfer while living in San Diego. On a hunting trip to Wyoming he fell in love with the Old West atmosphere. He chose to live in Jackson Hole permanently in the later 1960s because of the rugged outdoor lifestyle and the world-class skiing.
He was hired on the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ski patrol in 1976, where he worked for nearly 35 years. Along with Peter MacKay, he was instrumental in starting the avalanche dog program during the 1980s. During more than two decades, he had three dogs in the program. Jerry and his avalanche dogs also assisted Teton County Search and Rescue in numerous avalanche incidents.
In 1992, Jerry with his dog, Coup, found the first skier buried in an avalanche who was rescued alive in North America. For a number of years, Jerry, along with his avalanche dog, worked with search and rescue teams in Alaska on the Extreme Ski Contest. During the summer months until about 2012, Jerry was employed in the recreational division of the U.S. Forest Service in Jackson.
Jerry loved upland bird hunting with his dogs, spending many weeks in the fall hunting birds in Idaho and Montana, as well as Wyoming. Other activities that drew him to the Wyoming outdoors included big game hunting, fishing and his beloved horses. Jerry would spend weeks at a time on horse pack trips in the Wind River, Absaroka and Gros Ventre mountain ranges.
Jerry loved his motorcycles. He and his wife, Jeanni, got married in Sturgis, South Dakota, during the annual motorcycle rally in 2000. On summer Saturday nights in Jackson he was a regular at the Grand Teton Music Festival symphony.
Having grown tired of the long Jackson Hole winters, Jerry and Jeanni spent the last 15 winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. There, Jerry enjoyed spending time with his dog at the lake, taking his small boat out fishing and going to the gun range.
Former ski patrol leader Corky Ward, quoted in David Gonzales’ book “Jackson Hole: On a Grand Scale” (2001), said of Jerry, “A boss’s nightmare. He’s a prankster. He’s got the world by the tail. … And when things go bad, when I need somebody very professional who has total grasp of rescues, he’s one of the first people I look to.” Gonzales mentions that Jerry’s fellow workers nicknamed him “Cool Breeze,” a reference to Jerry’s affable and adventuresome personality.
Rodney Albert Newcomb
Rodney Albert Newcomb died Oct. 9 in St. John’s Hospital with his family by his side. He was 91. The following was provided by his family.
Rod was born in Riverside, California in 1934 to Margaret Root and Daniel Albert Newcomb. He grew up during World War II, and his father was an air raid warden. By high school, he and his family had moved to the desert in the Coachella Valley outside of Indio.
Rod helped with his father’s citrus nursery, hiked the desert hills, and became an Eagle Scout. He attended Occidental College, was drafted for two years in the peace time army, and traveled around Europe on a motor bike.
He first came to the Tetons in 1953 to work at the Square G Ranch and later at Jackson Lake Lodge and Jenny Lake Lodge. Rod, Frank Ewing and Jake Breitenbach hiked the Saint Elias mountain range in Alaska. Rod, Frank and Dick Pittman skied the Thorofare from Blackrock to Cody, and also the Wind Rivers from Fremont Lake to Burns. And in 1963, Rod, along with Peter Lev, Al Read, Fred Wright, Jed Williamson and Warren Bleser made a first ascent of Denali East Buttress. Frank Ewing towed them up Teton Pass to get them on the road to Alaska because only five out the six cylinders worked in the car they were driving.
In 1963, he began working for Exum Mountain Guides. He met his wife Annie through mutual friends Angie and Pitt, and in 1965 he and Annie brought their first baby, Lisa, home to a tent cabin in Guide’s Camp. Son Mark was born in 1967 and daughter Maria in 1968. The summer of 1968, Rod took time off from guiding to work on building a home on Heck of a Hill, where the family lived for 48 years.
He began ski patrolling at the newly opened Jackson Hole ski area and became assistant snow ranger to Juris Krisjansons. He then spent three winters in Silverton, Colorado working for INSTAAR (Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research) studying the effects of cloud seeding on the snowpack around Silverton.
In 1974 Rod founded the American Avalanche Institute, the first privately owned avalanche school in the country. He designed the four-day course, half in the field and half in the classroom, and hired expert instructors. He taught avalanche courses throughout the Rocky Mountain West and a few in Alaska and back East.
Snow safety, backcountry travel, and his family shaped his life. His humble demeanor and enduring and practical kindness contributed to him being a remarkable father, grandfather and mentor to many.
Rod is survived by his wife of 61 years, Annie Newcomb; children Lisa, Mark and Maria Newcomb; grandchildren Tristan and Skylar Moehs, Charlie and Bowen von Maur-Newcomb; and sister Barbara (Joe) Jayne.
His family is planning a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Coombs Outdoors.
Rod was born in Riverside, California in 1934 to Margaret Root and Daniel Albert Newcomb. He grew up during World War II, and his father was an air raid warden. By high school, he and his family had moved to the desert in the Coachella Valley outside of Indio.
Rod helped with his father’s citrus nursery, hiked the desert hills, and became an Eagle Scout. He attended Occidental College, was drafted for two years in the peace time army, and traveled around Europe on a motor bike.
He first came to the Tetons in 1953 to work at the Square G Ranch and later at Jackson Lake Lodge and Jenny Lake Lodge. Rod, Frank Ewing and Jake Breitenbach hiked the Saint Elias mountain range in Alaska. Rod, Frank and Dick Pittman skied the Thorofare from Blackrock to Cody, and also the Wind Rivers from Fremont Lake to Burns. And in 1963, Rod, along with Peter Lev, Al Read, Fred Wright, Jed Williamson and Warren Bleser made a first ascent of Denali East Buttress. Frank Ewing towed them up Teton Pass to get them on the road to Alaska because only five out the six cylinders worked in the car they were driving.
In 1963, he began working for Exum Mountain Guides. He met his wife Annie through mutual friends Angie and Pitt, and in 1965 he and Annie brought their first baby, Lisa, home to a tent cabin in Guide’s Camp. Son Mark was born in 1967 and daughter Maria in 1968. The summer of 1968, Rod took time off from guiding to work on building a home on Heck of a Hill, where the family lived for 48 years.
He began ski patrolling at the newly opened Jackson Hole ski area and became assistant snow ranger to Juris Krisjansons. He then spent three winters in Silverton, Colorado working for INSTAAR (Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research) studying the effects of cloud seeding on the snowpack around Silverton.
In 1974 Rod founded the American Avalanche Institute, the first privately owned avalanche school in the country. He designed the four-day course, half in the field and half in the classroom, and hired expert instructors. He taught avalanche courses throughout the Rocky Mountain West and a few in Alaska and back East.
Snow safety, backcountry travel, and his family shaped his life. His humble demeanor and enduring and practical kindness contributed to him being a remarkable father, grandfather and mentor to many.
Rod is survived by his wife of 61 years, Annie Newcomb; children Lisa, Mark and Maria Newcomb; grandchildren Tristan and Skylar Moehs, Charlie and Bowen von Maur-Newcomb; and sister Barbara (Joe) Jayne.
His family is planning a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Coombs Outdoors.
Ron Matous
Ron Matous
Died Dec. 18, 2024. He was 72.
Ronald August Matous was born on Oct. 25, 1952, in New York City.
Ron grew up “rock climbing” on boulders in Central Park with a clothesline and younger brother Steve in tow, skiing on wooden skis in the Catskills and roaming the woods of New Jersey that were next to the camp his parents ran for Sokol, a Czech organization devoted to physical fitness. As a 14-year-old, he and a friend headed north to the Adirondacks for a two-week backpacking trip, carrying 50-pound packs — primarily canned chili and Mandarin oranges.
Ron attended the University of Connecticut, at age 16,where he got a degree in philosophy; however, climbing was his true focus. He said he was drawn to climbing because of the elimination of the dichotomy between mind and body .
He learned to climb at Ragged Mountain, the Shawangunks, with alpine ascents in Maine and New Hampshire. Summers he headed west, with three friends, visiting the Tetons and staying at the recently opened Climbers Ranch.
Picked up hitchhiking by Glenn Exum, he had the temerity to ask how he could become an Exum guide, to which Glen answered, “Sonny, I hire only the finest mountaineers in the world.”
After graduating, Ron headed to Boulder, Colorado for graduate school but quit so he could climb. He eventually started working for the Colorado Outward Bound School as an instructor, allowing time to climb in Colorado, Yosemite and the Canadian Rockies. In the summer of 1976, he went to Europe to climb classic routes in the Alps and Dolomites, culminating with the first all-American ascent of the North Face of the Eiger.
In 1977, Ron got a job as a climbing ranger with the Jenny Lake rangers and spent his first full summer in the Tetons. He spent every summer in the Tetons until moving full time to Jackson Hole in the early 1980s. His climbing passion took him to Alaska, Peru, Pakistan and Nepal.
Ten years after asking Glenn Exum what it took to be a mountain guide, he started guiding for Exum. He continued to guide for the next 25 years, both with Exum in the Tetons and eventually internationally, leading clients to Aconcagua, numerous peaks in Nepal and Mount Cook in New Zealand.
Ron continued to direct winter courses for the Colorado Outward Bound School. Wanting to stay in the Tetons full time, he started to work ski patrol, initially for the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol in Teton Village, then taught avalanche courses for the American Avalanche Institute and eventually worked as a Snow King ski patroller.
Ron was also a talented writer, chess champion, hang glider and spent long solo camping trips, winter and summer, in Yellowstone, the Teton Wilderness and the untraveled parts of the Tetons.
In 1977 he met his life partner, Ruth Valsing, who participated in some of his adventures and made a home with him in Kelly. In 1988 their daughter, Anna, was born. One of Ron’s last guiding trips was taking his daughter and future son-in-law up the Grand as teenagers.
Ron is survived by wife Ruth Valsing, daughter Anna Valsing and husband Charlie Joy, grandchildren Max and Maddy Joy, and brother Steve Matous.
Died Dec. 18, 2024. He was 72.
Ronald August Matous was born on Oct. 25, 1952, in New York City.
Ron grew up “rock climbing” on boulders in Central Park with a clothesline and younger brother Steve in tow, skiing on wooden skis in the Catskills and roaming the woods of New Jersey that were next to the camp his parents ran for Sokol, a Czech organization devoted to physical fitness. As a 14-year-old, he and a friend headed north to the Adirondacks for a two-week backpacking trip, carrying 50-pound packs — primarily canned chili and Mandarin oranges.
Ron attended the University of Connecticut, at age 16,where he got a degree in philosophy; however, climbing was his true focus. He said he was drawn to climbing because of the elimination of the dichotomy between mind and body .
He learned to climb at Ragged Mountain, the Shawangunks, with alpine ascents in Maine and New Hampshire. Summers he headed west, with three friends, visiting the Tetons and staying at the recently opened Climbers Ranch.
Picked up hitchhiking by Glenn Exum, he had the temerity to ask how he could become an Exum guide, to which Glen answered, “Sonny, I hire only the finest mountaineers in the world.”
After graduating, Ron headed to Boulder, Colorado for graduate school but quit so he could climb. He eventually started working for the Colorado Outward Bound School as an instructor, allowing time to climb in Colorado, Yosemite and the Canadian Rockies. In the summer of 1976, he went to Europe to climb classic routes in the Alps and Dolomites, culminating with the first all-American ascent of the North Face of the Eiger.
In 1977, Ron got a job as a climbing ranger with the Jenny Lake rangers and spent his first full summer in the Tetons. He spent every summer in the Tetons until moving full time to Jackson Hole in the early 1980s. His climbing passion took him to Alaska, Peru, Pakistan and Nepal.
Ten years after asking Glenn Exum what it took to be a mountain guide, he started guiding for Exum. He continued to guide for the next 25 years, both with Exum in the Tetons and eventually internationally, leading clients to Aconcagua, numerous peaks in Nepal and Mount Cook in New Zealand.
Ron continued to direct winter courses for the Colorado Outward Bound School. Wanting to stay in the Tetons full time, he started to work ski patrol, initially for the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol in Teton Village, then taught avalanche courses for the American Avalanche Institute and eventually worked as a Snow King ski patroller.
Ron was also a talented writer, chess champion, hang glider and spent long solo camping trips, winter and summer, in Yellowstone, the Teton Wilderness and the untraveled parts of the Tetons.
In 1977 he met his life partner, Ruth Valsing, who participated in some of his adventures and made a home with him in Kelly. In 1988 their daughter, Anna, was born. One of Ron’s last guiding trips was taking his daughter and future son-in-law up the Grand as teenagers.
Ron is survived by wife Ruth Valsing, daughter Anna Valsing and husband Charlie Joy, grandchildren Max and Maddy Joy, and brother Steve Matous.
Frank Ewing
Frank Ewing 1934-2024
Frank Ewing, age 89, died July 20, 2024. He was a rafting pioneer who helped protect the Snake River and shape the modern outfitting industry in Jackson Hole. Born Aug 11, 1934, he was native of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Ewing first came to Jackson Hole in 1955 and two years later became a boatman for Grand Teton Lodge Co., which offered raft trips on the Snake River using World War II surplus bridge pontoons. He would steer with a rudder on the back of a 27-foot-long “sweep” boat.
Ewing was an early ski patrolman on Snow King who extensively explored the region’s mountain ranges on skis. He was also the first ski patrol director of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol when the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort first opened in the 1965.
Frank and his wife, Patty, started their own float trip business in Grand Teton National Park and in 1965 formed a partnership with Dick and Barbara Barker to form Barker-Ewing into the biggest float trip operator in the 1970s and ’80s, running scenic trips in the park and whitewater trips in the Snake River Canyon above Alpine.
From the early 1970s, Ewing was active in numerous conservation, community planning organizations and was part of initiatives to obtain a federal Wild and Scenic designation for the Snake. He was a key figure in the campaign that finally succeeded in 2009 with passage of the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act, which protected nearly 400 miles of the river and its tributaries.
Ewing co-founded the nonprofit Snake River Fund in the late 1990s and served on the board of the Jackson Hole Land Trust when it was formed in 1981.
Frank Ewing, age 89, died July 20, 2024. He was a rafting pioneer who helped protect the Snake River and shape the modern outfitting industry in Jackson Hole. Born Aug 11, 1934, he was native of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Ewing first came to Jackson Hole in 1955 and two years later became a boatman for Grand Teton Lodge Co., which offered raft trips on the Snake River using World War II surplus bridge pontoons. He would steer with a rudder on the back of a 27-foot-long “sweep” boat.
Ewing was an early ski patrolman on Snow King who extensively explored the region’s mountain ranges on skis. He was also the first ski patrol director of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol when the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort first opened in the 1965.
Frank and his wife, Patty, started their own float trip business in Grand Teton National Park and in 1965 formed a partnership with Dick and Barbara Barker to form Barker-Ewing into the biggest float trip operator in the 1970s and ’80s, running scenic trips in the park and whitewater trips in the Snake River Canyon above Alpine.
From the early 1970s, Ewing was active in numerous conservation, community planning organizations and was part of initiatives to obtain a federal Wild and Scenic designation for the Snake. He was a key figure in the campaign that finally succeeded in 2009 with passage of the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act, which protected nearly 400 miles of the river and its tributaries.
Ewing co-founded the nonprofit Snake River Fund in the late 1990s and served on the board of the Jackson Hole Land Trust when it was formed in 1981.
Ross Greg
Died 2025
Tim Mackay
Died 2025
John Huff
John Huff
6/4/1944 to 12/4/2022
John Paule Huff Jr. died on December 4, 2022, following a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s disease and other complications. He was 78.
John was born June 4, 1944, in Los Angeles to Jack and Shirley Huff, owners of Ray Huff Studios in Beverly Hills. He was married to Mercedes Adams Huff from 1979 to 2016, they had two daughters, Molly and Laurie Huff.
He attended North Hollywood High School and San Diego State University prior to moving to Jackson in 1967. His early interests and hobbies included surfing and sailing, but after moving to Jackson he fell in love with the mountains.
John was an original member of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol from 1974 to 1999. After retiring from the ski patrol, he accomplished his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.
Throughout his time in Jackson, his priority was spending time with family. Spending many weekends hiking, sledding, snowmobiling, and playing together at their beloved cabin in the backcountry of Wyoming.
John moved temporarily to Park City, Utah, to support Molly and Laurie as they pursued racing at an elite level. During those pivotal years together he was a confidant, role model and source of friendship for his girls.
Later in life John met his devoted partner, Joni Upsher. Despite his health challenges, they traveled and explored the world. In the six short years together, they built tremendous love and a wealth of beautiful memories.
Those who knew John remember him as a kind, gentle man with a playful sense of humor.
6/4/1944 to 12/4/2022
John Paule Huff Jr. died on December 4, 2022, following a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s disease and other complications. He was 78.
John was born June 4, 1944, in Los Angeles to Jack and Shirley Huff, owners of Ray Huff Studios in Beverly Hills. He was married to Mercedes Adams Huff from 1979 to 2016, they had two daughters, Molly and Laurie Huff.
He attended North Hollywood High School and San Diego State University prior to moving to Jackson in 1967. His early interests and hobbies included surfing and sailing, but after moving to Jackson he fell in love with the mountains.
John was an original member of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol from 1974 to 1999. After retiring from the ski patrol, he accomplished his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.
Throughout his time in Jackson, his priority was spending time with family. Spending many weekends hiking, sledding, snowmobiling, and playing together at their beloved cabin in the backcountry of Wyoming.
John moved temporarily to Park City, Utah, to support Molly and Laurie as they pursued racing at an elite level. During those pivotal years together he was a confidant, role model and source of friendship for his girls.
Later in life John met his devoted partner, Joni Upsher. Despite his health challenges, they traveled and explored the world. In the six short years together, they built tremendous love and a wealth of beautiful memories.
Those who knew John remember him as a kind, gentle man with a playful sense of humor.
Glen Jaques
Jaques, 68, was a ‘hot dog’ skier, trained avy dogs.
Glen Albert Jaques, 68, died at his home in Leeds, Utah, Sept. 1, following a short illness.
His family provided the following:
Glen was born April 2, 1952, to Al and Loretta Jaques in Northern California.
In the early ‘70s his love of skiing took him to Lake Tahoe,where he was drawn to the newhot dog” skiing, mastering the sport in its early years.
But he soon wanted the challenge of chasing bigger mountains, and a friend asked him if he had ever heard of Jackson Hole.
He settled in Wilson in 1973 and resided there until his retirement from the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol in 2018.
Glen was active in the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol Avalanche Dog program, having trained three of the “avy” dogs in his long career:Gus, Bailey and Grover Cleveland.
In the summers he worked as a carpenter and more recently as a mountain bike patroller at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
He enjoyed sharing memories of earlier years when he worked as a bartender on at the Calico.
He was a fearless skier, and he held the local legends in high regard, always eager to pass along their stories.
Glen had a lifelong love of the outdoors and enjoyed hiking,running, mountain biking and surfing.
He looked forward to annual“ trips to his coastal getaway in Baja. Among his nicknames was“Blind Glen.” There are various explanations for the origin that name, depending on who you ask.
In 2002 he married Lisa Holste, and they welcomed daughter Avery, who would become the shining star in his life.
Glen is survived by his adored daughter Avery, sister Ellyn Jaques Boone, brother–in–law George Boone, wife Lisa Holste, nieces Micha Egger–Fahl and Tegan Egger, his beloved best friend Grover Cleveland,and many, many good friends and legends in Jackson Hole.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol. A memorial will be planned for a later date.
Glen Albert Jaques, 68, died at his home in Leeds, Utah, Sept. 1, following a short illness.
His family provided the following:
Glen was born April 2, 1952, to Al and Loretta Jaques in Northern California.
In the early ‘70s his love of skiing took him to Lake Tahoe,where he was drawn to the newhot dog” skiing, mastering the sport in its early years.
But he soon wanted the challenge of chasing bigger mountains, and a friend asked him if he had ever heard of Jackson Hole.
He settled in Wilson in 1973 and resided there until his retirement from the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol in 2018.
Glen was active in the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol Avalanche Dog program, having trained three of the “avy” dogs in his long career:Gus, Bailey and Grover Cleveland.
In the summers he worked as a carpenter and more recently as a mountain bike patroller at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
He enjoyed sharing memories of earlier years when he worked as a bartender on at the Calico.
He was a fearless skier, and he held the local legends in high regard, always eager to pass along their stories.
Glen had a lifelong love of the outdoors and enjoyed hiking,running, mountain biking and surfing.
He looked forward to annual“ trips to his coastal getaway in Baja. Among his nicknames was“Blind Glen.” There are various explanations for the origin that name, depending on who you ask.
In 2002 he married Lisa Holste, and they welcomed daughter Avery, who would become the shining star in his life.
Glen is survived by his adored daughter Avery, sister Ellyn Jaques Boone, brother–in–law George Boone, wife Lisa Holste, nieces Micha Egger–Fahl and Tegan Egger, his beloved best friend Grover Cleveland,and many, many good friends and legends in Jackson Hole.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol. A memorial will be planned for a later date.
Kirby Williams
Jackson resident Kirby Williams died Dec. 25. He was 75.
Kirby was born in May 1943 to Kenneth and Jeanne Williams in Ogden, Utah. He remained their only child.
He and Jeanne moved to Jackson in 1949. Jeanne met and married Byron Jenkins in 1951 and began a life on the Jenkins ranch. He grew up with his cousins, Mike Wardell and John Becker, splitting time between the ranch in town and their guest ranch at the Highlands in what would become Grand Teton National Park.
He enjoyed a traditional Wyoming childhood of hunting, fishing, running a muskrat trap line and taking family ski trips. Kirby shared a few summers in Ogden with his father and their new family, including Marilyn and siblings Clint and Jan.
He attended school in Jackson, graduating from Jackson-Wilson High School in 1961. He graduated from Utah State University, leaving with a history degree and what would become lifelong friends. A quarter of law school was completed when he was advised to “get skiing out of his system and then come back.” Never happened.
Kirby returned to Jackson to a career of summers spent guiding fishing, clearing runs at the mountain resort and working as a carpenter. Winters were worked at Jackson Hole Ski Corp., what would become Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, first as a groomer and then 35 years as a ski patroller. Upon retirement in 2003 he became a gentleman rancher and combined his passions of carpentry and fishing to build and restore wooden boats.
Kirby married Susan (Surf) Obenland in 1974. They traveled and adventured the West and the world for 23 years. Daniel Cody was born in 1985, the greatest pride to Kirby. The two guys fished, skied, rode dirt bikes and grew up together. Dan was a good sidekick.
Kirby married Stephanie Stegall in 2001. They built a home together on the ranch and worked in tandem as ranchers, adventurers and parents to many spoiled dogs.
Kirby survived a bout of H1N1 (swine) flu in 2010. It was the start of many hits to his health. He maintained a good attitude, even as his ability to fish and ski was reduced and then replaced with walks on the ranch with his dogs. His lifelong love of birds, starting with his pet sparrow hawk, Rocket, kept him entertained summer and winter and took on more importance in the last few years. He enjoyed all the wildlife that visited the ranch.
Kirby left quickly and with the grace and dignity we had come to expect of him. He will be missed by all those who mourn his loss, but celebrated by those who knew and learned from him. He was a man with a quick smile and concern for all he met.
His longtime goal was to return to earth as a raven, because “they soar with the eagles, they always have enough to eat and they play year round.” Watch for a raven that gives a dip of its wing in salutation. And know he has returned for a quick bit of fun.
Kirby was born in May 1943 to Kenneth and Jeanne Williams in Ogden, Utah. He remained their only child.
He and Jeanne moved to Jackson in 1949. Jeanne met and married Byron Jenkins in 1951 and began a life on the Jenkins ranch. He grew up with his cousins, Mike Wardell and John Becker, splitting time between the ranch in town and their guest ranch at the Highlands in what would become Grand Teton National Park.
He enjoyed a traditional Wyoming childhood of hunting, fishing, running a muskrat trap line and taking family ski trips. Kirby shared a few summers in Ogden with his father and their new family, including Marilyn and siblings Clint and Jan.
He attended school in Jackson, graduating from Jackson-Wilson High School in 1961. He graduated from Utah State University, leaving with a history degree and what would become lifelong friends. A quarter of law school was completed when he was advised to “get skiing out of his system and then come back.” Never happened.
Kirby returned to Jackson to a career of summers spent guiding fishing, clearing runs at the mountain resort and working as a carpenter. Winters were worked at Jackson Hole Ski Corp., what would become Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, first as a groomer and then 35 years as a ski patroller. Upon retirement in 2003 he became a gentleman rancher and combined his passions of carpentry and fishing to build and restore wooden boats.
Kirby married Susan (Surf) Obenland in 1974. They traveled and adventured the West and the world for 23 years. Daniel Cody was born in 1985, the greatest pride to Kirby. The two guys fished, skied, rode dirt bikes and grew up together. Dan was a good sidekick.
Kirby married Stephanie Stegall in 2001. They built a home together on the ranch and worked in tandem as ranchers, adventurers and parents to many spoiled dogs.
Kirby survived a bout of H1N1 (swine) flu in 2010. It was the start of many hits to his health. He maintained a good attitude, even as his ability to fish and ski was reduced and then replaced with walks on the ranch with his dogs. His lifelong love of birds, starting with his pet sparrow hawk, Rocket, kept him entertained summer and winter and took on more importance in the last few years. He enjoyed all the wildlife that visited the ranch.
Kirby left quickly and with the grace and dignity we had come to expect of him. He will be missed by all those who mourn his loss, but celebrated by those who knew and learned from him. He was a man with a quick smile and concern for all he met.
His longtime goal was to return to earth as a raven, because “they soar with the eagles, they always have enough to eat and they play year round.” Watch for a raven that gives a dip of its wing in salutation. And know he has returned for a quick bit of fun.
Alex Sheldon
Alex Sheldon
1985-2016
Alexander Castle Sheldon was born April 26, 1985. He grew up on a lake in southern Wisconsin. He was a happy, easy-going kid who loved sports of all kinds. As a youth he excelled at hockey, soccer, golf, and skiing (water and snow).
When it came time to enter college, he was focused on golf and attended college in Salt Lake City, Utah on a golf scholarship. His heart, however, was captured by the mountains and skiing. Soon after graduating from the University of Utah, Alex settled in Jackson, Wyoming. He had found his home. He loved to ski, mountain bike, play hockey, practice yoga, and was renewing his love of golf.
In Jackson, he worked as a brewer at the Snake River Brewery for a few years. As a budding, young entrepreneur full of ideas, curiosity and intelligence he and a partner started a landscaping business in 2013. The following year, 2014, Alex was first diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. After he completed treatment, Alex was regaining his health and his life.
In the spring of 2016, he applied for a position with the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol and was hired to start working that fall. He was also about to start another business with his oldest sister, Hillary, in 2016 when his plans changed dramatically due to the return of his cancer. He fought with bravery and grace, always thinking about others before himself and his suffering.
Tragically, Alex lost his battle on November 15, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Alex had an unforgettable smile. He was witty, silly, deeply caring and gentle. He was generous and a good friend to so many. His two sisters, Kayla and Hillary, were honored to have Alex as their loving brother. Abbey, his German shepherd, was his good buddy for 6 years. She resides with Alex’s parents, Don and Denise in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The world has lost a beautiful human.
1985-2016
Alexander Castle Sheldon was born April 26, 1985. He grew up on a lake in southern Wisconsin. He was a happy, easy-going kid who loved sports of all kinds. As a youth he excelled at hockey, soccer, golf, and skiing (water and snow).
When it came time to enter college, he was focused on golf and attended college in Salt Lake City, Utah on a golf scholarship. His heart, however, was captured by the mountains and skiing. Soon after graduating from the University of Utah, Alex settled in Jackson, Wyoming. He had found his home. He loved to ski, mountain bike, play hockey, practice yoga, and was renewing his love of golf.
In Jackson, he worked as a brewer at the Snake River Brewery for a few years. As a budding, young entrepreneur full of ideas, curiosity and intelligence he and a partner started a landscaping business in 2013. The following year, 2014, Alex was first diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. After he completed treatment, Alex was regaining his health and his life.
In the spring of 2016, he applied for a position with the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol and was hired to start working that fall. He was also about to start another business with his oldest sister, Hillary, in 2016 when his plans changed dramatically due to the return of his cancer. He fought with bravery and grace, always thinking about others before himself and his suffering.
Tragically, Alex lost his battle on November 15, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Alex had an unforgettable smile. He was witty, silly, deeply caring and gentle. He was generous and a good friend to so many. His two sisters, Kayla and Hillary, were honored to have Alex as their loving brother. Abbey, his German shepherd, was his good buddy for 6 years. She resides with Alex’s parents, Don and Denise in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The world has lost a beautiful human.
Mark Wolling AKA “Big Wally”
Mark “Big Wally’ Wolling passed away at age 58 on January 9, 2010 after being critically injured in an avalanche while performing avalanche hazard work at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. He was in the Cheyenne Bowl area of the resort.
Big Wally grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri where he graduated from high school and worked diligently to become an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Southern Methodist University before moving to Jackson Hole in 1973 and was hired onto the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol in 1989.
He was known for his tall, lanky build, brushy, blond mustache, gregarious nature, and penchant for fun and most of all his big heart. Passionate about the outdoors he was an avid kayaker, paraglider, skier and mountain biker, accompanied on many of his adventures by his Springer Spaniel, Sir Charles Winston IV aka Charlie.
He survived two serious parasailing crashes that caused him to launch the tradition of Goatstock fundraiser parties for injured valley athletes at his home in Red Top Meadows. The ski run “Wally World” is named for him even though Wally said that “Wally World’s not a place. It’s a state of mind, where the fun never stops and all your dreams come true.” His parents Spence and Millie, two sisters Barb and Sue, and longtime companion Marianne survive him.
Big Wally grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri where he graduated from high school and worked diligently to become an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Southern Methodist University before moving to Jackson Hole in 1973 and was hired onto the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol in 1989.
He was known for his tall, lanky build, brushy, blond mustache, gregarious nature, and penchant for fun and most of all his big heart. Passionate about the outdoors he was an avid kayaker, paraglider, skier and mountain biker, accompanied on many of his adventures by his Springer Spaniel, Sir Charles Winston IV aka Charlie.
He survived two serious parasailing crashes that caused him to launch the tradition of Goatstock fundraiser parties for injured valley athletes at his home in Red Top Meadows. The ski run “Wally World” is named for him even though Wally said that “Wally World’s not a place. It’s a state of mind, where the fun never stops and all your dreams come true.” His parents Spence and Millie, two sisters Barb and Sue, and longtime companion Marianne survive him.
Kathryn Miller
Kathryn Miller
Kathryn passed away March 17, 2009 from head injuries sustained in a fall while skiing Spacewalk, a chute just south of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort boundary.
She was a native of Columbus, Georgia, who poured her passion into mountaineering and music. She was in her eighth season on the Jackson Hole patrol, having worked earlier in that capacity at Grand Targhee. In spring and summer she led canyoneering and climbing trips for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides of which she used to be a part owner with her ex-husband, Rob Hess.
She loved the canyon country of southern Utah as much as the jams of Widespread Panic, the Grateful Dead and concerts in general. She was an accomplished climber reaching summits from Alaska to the Himalayas.
Kathryn passed away March 17, 2009 from head injuries sustained in a fall while skiing Spacewalk, a chute just south of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort boundary.
She was a native of Columbus, Georgia, who poured her passion into mountaineering and music. She was in her eighth season on the Jackson Hole patrol, having worked earlier in that capacity at Grand Targhee. In spring and summer she led canyoneering and climbing trips for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides of which she used to be a part owner with her ex-husband, Rob Hess.
She loved the canyon country of southern Utah as much as the jams of Widespread Panic, the Grateful Dead and concerts in general. She was an accomplished climber reaching summits from Alaska to the Himalayas.
Dennis Comer
Dennis Comer AKA “2 Dogs”
Dennis passed away December 19, 2014 from lung cancer leaving behind his wife Sharon of 31 years, his son Gus, his mother Aletha, brother Fred and sister Lori.
Dennis came to Jackson Hole in 1977 with a desire to ski and never left. His first job at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was as Ski Host assistant director to Shirley Jones. He worked briefly in lift operations, was hired for summer trail crew and then on to the ski patrol where he became an explosives expert, aka the Master Blaster. Besides family, powder and explosives, his other passions were whitewater rafting and fishing. He spent many summer months running whitewater trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, a river that forever held a special place in his heart.
Dennis passed away December 19, 2014 from lung cancer leaving behind his wife Sharon of 31 years, his son Gus, his mother Aletha, brother Fred and sister Lori.
Dennis came to Jackson Hole in 1977 with a desire to ski and never left. His first job at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was as Ski Host assistant director to Shirley Jones. He worked briefly in lift operations, was hired for summer trail crew and then on to the ski patrol where he became an explosives expert, aka the Master Blaster. Besides family, powder and explosives, his other passions were whitewater rafting and fishing. He spent many summer months running whitewater trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, a river that forever held a special place in his heart.
Renn Tolman
Renn Tolman
1934-2014
Renn was born February 23, 1934, in Keene, New Hampshire. His family converted their family farm into a small four-season resort on Tolman Pond in Nelson, N.H. After prep school and a brief college attempt, he spent three year in the U.S. Army as an intelligence radio operator. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree he taught in a private school and did graduate work at Harvard University before moving west in 1963. He was a tutor at a dude ranch, a hard rock miner, and a carpenter before becoming a pioneering ski patrolman first at the Aspen Ski Area then the new Jackson Hole Ski Resort. He eventually moved to Homer, Alaska in 1970 becoming a well-known boat designer and builder. His Tolman Skiff was a dory-style V-bottom that found wide use among hardy seafarers of Kachemak Bay and around the world. He was an accomplished musician and contra dancer. He passed away at home in Alaska on July 5, 2014 from colon cancer. He is survived by a beloved partner Betsy, a sister and many cousins and other relatives.
1934-2014
Renn was born February 23, 1934, in Keene, New Hampshire. His family converted their family farm into a small four-season resort on Tolman Pond in Nelson, N.H. After prep school and a brief college attempt, he spent three year in the U.S. Army as an intelligence radio operator. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree he taught in a private school and did graduate work at Harvard University before moving west in 1963. He was a tutor at a dude ranch, a hard rock miner, and a carpenter before becoming a pioneering ski patrolman first at the Aspen Ski Area then the new Jackson Hole Ski Resort. He eventually moved to Homer, Alaska in 1970 becoming a well-known boat designer and builder. His Tolman Skiff was a dory-style V-bottom that found wide use among hardy seafarers of Kachemak Bay and around the world. He was an accomplished musician and contra dancer. He passed away at home in Alaska on July 5, 2014 from colon cancer. He is survived by a beloved partner Betsy, a sister and many cousins and other relatives.
James Kanzler
Jim was born on April 22, 1948. Growing up in Columbia Falls, Montana, Jim spent his youth skiing and climbing around Glacier National Park with his father and brother, Jerry. The boys became strong mountaineers and were in the forefront of present day rock climbing. Moving to Bozeman, Montana he attended classes at MSU, became a ski patrolman at Bridger Bowl ski area, married and had a son, Jamie. Exploring the business world with fellow climbing partner, Chad Chadwick, they started a mountain guiding and climbing school out of Red Lodge, Montana. There wasn’t much money to be made in guiding then so Jim followed an opportunity to become director of the professional ski patrol at the new Big Sky Ski Resort. In 1978 he moved to Jackson to work as a patrolman at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Jim’s avalanche forecasting expertise led him to accept the position as lead avalanche forecaster for the resort when Forest Service Snow Ranger Gary Poulson transferred to the district office in 1984. Because Jim was no stranger to the profound grief and devastation avalanches can create physically, mentally and emotionally, he and fellow assistant, Larry Livingood, explored methods in avalanche mitigation techniques in order to create more safety for patrollers, becoming the first to use large amounts of explosives placed in plastic sleds lowered by rope down to strategic locations on dangerous slide paths. Jim spent summers as an Exum Mountain Guide in Grand Teton Nation Park. When he retired from the patrol he continued to work for the resort in the IT department using his talents in the fast moving world of communications. We sadly lost our friend Jim on April 18, 2011. He left behind his wonderful son, Jamie, a daughter in law and two adorable grandchildren.
Phil Tassinari
Philip S. Tassinari Jr. AKA “Fee”
1956-2008
Fee died suddenly of a cardiac arrest at age 52 on November 8, 2008. He lived his perfect dream of skiing and wind surfing as much as possible by dividing his time between Jackson Hole where he worked for the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol and the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon where, when he wasn’t wind surfing, he worked as a carpenter. He was fun loving, kind and hard worker. He was born to Ellen and the late Philip S. Tassinari of Beverly, Massachusetts on September 29, 1956. At the time of his death he was survived by his mother Ellen and seven brothers and sisters, Ann, Mary, Ellen, Peter, Joseph, Martha and James, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
1956-2008
Fee died suddenly of a cardiac arrest at age 52 on November 8, 2008. He lived his perfect dream of skiing and wind surfing as much as possible by dividing his time between Jackson Hole where he worked for the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol and the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon where, when he wasn’t wind surfing, he worked as a carpenter. He was fun loving, kind and hard worker. He was born to Ellen and the late Philip S. Tassinari of Beverly, Massachusetts on September 29, 1956. At the time of his death he was survived by his mother Ellen and seven brothers and sisters, Ann, Mary, Ellen, Peter, Joseph, Martha and James, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
John Bernadyn
AKA ‘Bernie’
1927-2012
As we recount John’s history there are certainly parts missing- where he grew up, went to school, etc. What we do know is that is he was a smart, personable and reliable man who was educated as an electrical engineer. He worked for Bendix Corporation, instrumental in designing the first lunar module.
He moved to the Tetons in his forties when he was offered a job designing the electrical circuitry for the first aerial tramway at the Jackson Hole Ski Area. He fixed many of the electrical problems during those early years.
He was also among the original 10 patrollers hired for the first ski season at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in 1965. He worked a total of 33 seasons and was a brilliant mentor to many. In the years when the ski patrol started using avalanche transceivers, he was able to explain how transceiver technology worked and those who heard his ‘lines of flux’ talk will never forget it.
Bernie’s Bowl is named for him but the story behind the name remains open for discussion…
John was a religious man and a great believer in higher education. Upon his death The John Bernadyn Scholarship was created by his brother Walter with monies from Bernie’s’ estate. The scholarships are given to the youth of this area who are interested in studying math, science or engineering. Bernie passed away March 29, 2012 at the age of 85 in Mahwah, New Jersey. At the time of his death his older brother Walter survived him.
1927-2012
As we recount John’s history there are certainly parts missing- where he grew up, went to school, etc. What we do know is that is he was a smart, personable and reliable man who was educated as an electrical engineer. He worked for Bendix Corporation, instrumental in designing the first lunar module.
He moved to the Tetons in his forties when he was offered a job designing the electrical circuitry for the first aerial tramway at the Jackson Hole Ski Area. He fixed many of the electrical problems during those early years.
He was also among the original 10 patrollers hired for the first ski season at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in 1965. He worked a total of 33 seasons and was a brilliant mentor to many. In the years when the ski patrol started using avalanche transceivers, he was able to explain how transceiver technology worked and those who heard his ‘lines of flux’ talk will never forget it.
Bernie’s Bowl is named for him but the story behind the name remains open for discussion…
John was a religious man and a great believer in higher education. Upon his death The John Bernadyn Scholarship was created by his brother Walter with monies from Bernie’s’ estate. The scholarships are given to the youth of this area who are interested in studying math, science or engineering. Bernie passed away March 29, 2012 at the age of 85 in Mahwah, New Jersey. At the time of his death his older brother Walter survived him.
Juri Krisjansons
Juri Krisjansons
AKA “The Bear”
1936-1998
Juris Ojars Krisjansons was born in Riga, Latvia on May 8, 1936. During the Stalin invasion his family was forced out of their homeland, taking refuge near the Swiss/German border until WWII was over. They were able to immigrate to the United States when Juris was age 12, settling in Cleveland, OH. Juris attended school, learned English and graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1958.
While traveling out west he discovered his passion for climbing and skiing eventually landing a ski patrol job at Squaw Valley ski area where he learned about their avalanche program. When he heard of a new ski resort being built in Jackson Hole, Wyoming he applied for and was hired on as ski patrol/forest service ranger at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Juris was responsible for determining and mapping the avalanche terrain within the new resort, designing the avalanche control program and establishing weather stations for gathering snow and weather data used to forecast avalanche danger for the ski patrol and other agencies. Juris travelled for the forest service teaching highway departments and ski areas in use of the large military guns for avalanche mitigation.
Retiring from the forest service in 1971 he moved to Alberta, Canada, where started a commercial stock ranch and worked as a lead guide for Mike Wiegele Heli-Skiing. Juris was a master of terrain management while guiding skiers and climbers. Juris’s life was taken by prostate cancer on April 19, 1998 leaving behind his wife, Margo, three daughters and three sons.
AKA “The Bear”
1936-1998
Juris Ojars Krisjansons was born in Riga, Latvia on May 8, 1936. During the Stalin invasion his family was forced out of their homeland, taking refuge near the Swiss/German border until WWII was over. They were able to immigrate to the United States when Juris was age 12, settling in Cleveland, OH. Juris attended school, learned English and graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1958.
While traveling out west he discovered his passion for climbing and skiing eventually landing a ski patrol job at Squaw Valley ski area where he learned about their avalanche program. When he heard of a new ski resort being built in Jackson Hole, Wyoming he applied for and was hired on as ski patrol/forest service ranger at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Juris was responsible for determining and mapping the avalanche terrain within the new resort, designing the avalanche control program and establishing weather stations for gathering snow and weather data used to forecast avalanche danger for the ski patrol and other agencies. Juris travelled for the forest service teaching highway departments and ski areas in use of the large military guns for avalanche mitigation.
Retiring from the forest service in 1971 he moved to Alberta, Canada, where started a commercial stock ranch and worked as a lead guide for Mike Wiegele Heli-Skiing. Juris was a master of terrain management while guiding skiers and climbers. Juris’s life was taken by prostate cancer on April 19, 1998 leaving behind his wife, Margo, three daughters and three sons.
Manny Read
1948-1980
Manny (Albert Manton) Read, a native of Edgewood, Rhode Island, died October 1,1980 at age 34, after becoming seriously ill during a 40 day religious fast in Israel. Manny came to Jackson Hole in the winter of 1972 after graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s Degree in biology. He worked for two years as a First Aider for the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol before being hired as a full time patrolman. He was able to work ski patrolling in France for one winter on a ski patrol exchange program through the resort. He spent his summers as a boatman first for Jackson Hole Lodge and later Barker-Ewing. He was an avid kayaker and organizer of gelande jumping in the Jackson. His parents Charles and Helen, two brothers Aarne and Daniel and a sister Charlamayne at the time of his death, survived him.
Manny (Albert Manton) Read, a native of Edgewood, Rhode Island, died October 1,1980 at age 34, after becoming seriously ill during a 40 day religious fast in Israel. Manny came to Jackson Hole in the winter of 1972 after graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s Degree in biology. He worked for two years as a First Aider for the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol before being hired as a full time patrolman. He was able to work ski patrolling in France for one winter on a ski patrol exchange program through the resort. He spent his summers as a boatman first for Jackson Hole Lodge and later Barker-Ewing. He was an avid kayaker and organizer of gelande jumping in the Jackson. His parents Charles and Helen, two brothers Aarne and Daniel and a sister Charlamayne at the time of his death, survived him.
Tom Raymer
AKA "Ranger"
1948-1986
Tom Raymer was born November 11, 1948 to Jack and Betty Raymer in Annapolis, Maryland. He learned to ski in the White Mountains of New Hampshire during his years at Arlington Virginia’s Wakefield High School, from which he graduated. After a tour of active duty in the Coast Guard reserve, he moved to Jackson Hole in the early 70’s.
His first job in Jackson was as a ski mechanic for the Jack Pine Ski Shop but realizing he’d rather be on skis than fixing them he doggedly pursued a job with and was eventually hired on to the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol.
He worked as a guide for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides but in 1976 a fall, while guiding, shattered his foot and left one leg shorter than the other ending that career. Preferring to work outdoors he tried various jobs such as being a cowboy for the Blackrock Cattle association on Togwotee Pass and a boatman for Charlie Sands Wildwater for five years.
Tom was known for his easy going manner, athleticism and zest for life; he never did anything conventionally. He lived for a winter in an igloo, spent a summer hiking up and down Tramline while he lived in the Halfway House, electing to have his other leg shortened so he wouldn’t limp he then biked from Arlington to Jackson as part of his recovery, he was the first individual winner of the Pole Pedal Paddle in 1975 and 1976 peddling his bike in his ski boot liners to save time during the transitions, he spent a winter in Meribel, France on ski patrol exchange knowing only a few words of French, and when asked for advice he was famous for saying ‘No danger!’. While building his small cabin on Teton Village Road he spent every evening at the Calico Pizza Parlor where a pizza bears his nickname ‘The Ranger,’ as does the JHMR ski run ‘Ranger’.
At the age of 37, after 12 years working for Jackson Hole Ski Patrol he tragically died in an avalanche on the Moran Faces while conducting avalanche hazard reduction work February 17, 1986. At the time of his death he was survived by his parents (who have since passed), a sister Susan Clark and nieces Jocelyn and Meilani. His little cabin has remained a gathering place for friends and family to honor and remember him.
Tom Raymer was born November 11, 1948 to Jack and Betty Raymer in Annapolis, Maryland. He learned to ski in the White Mountains of New Hampshire during his years at Arlington Virginia’s Wakefield High School, from which he graduated. After a tour of active duty in the Coast Guard reserve, he moved to Jackson Hole in the early 70’s.
His first job in Jackson was as a ski mechanic for the Jack Pine Ski Shop but realizing he’d rather be on skis than fixing them he doggedly pursued a job with and was eventually hired on to the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol.
He worked as a guide for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides but in 1976 a fall, while guiding, shattered his foot and left one leg shorter than the other ending that career. Preferring to work outdoors he tried various jobs such as being a cowboy for the Blackrock Cattle association on Togwotee Pass and a boatman for Charlie Sands Wildwater for five years.
Tom was known for his easy going manner, athleticism and zest for life; he never did anything conventionally. He lived for a winter in an igloo, spent a summer hiking up and down Tramline while he lived in the Halfway House, electing to have his other leg shortened so he wouldn’t limp he then biked from Arlington to Jackson as part of his recovery, he was the first individual winner of the Pole Pedal Paddle in 1975 and 1976 peddling his bike in his ski boot liners to save time during the transitions, he spent a winter in Meribel, France on ski patrol exchange knowing only a few words of French, and when asked for advice he was famous for saying ‘No danger!’. While building his small cabin on Teton Village Road he spent every evening at the Calico Pizza Parlor where a pizza bears his nickname ‘The Ranger,’ as does the JHMR ski run ‘Ranger’.
At the age of 37, after 12 years working for Jackson Hole Ski Patrol he tragically died in an avalanche on the Moran Faces while conducting avalanche hazard reduction work February 17, 1986. At the time of his death he was survived by his parents (who have since passed), a sister Susan Clark and nieces Jocelyn and Meilani. His little cabin has remained a gathering place for friends and family to honor and remember him.
Bob Sealander
Robert (Bob) Sealander was born February 15 1935, in Idaho Falls Idaho. He grew up on the family farm near Shelley Idaho. He passed away on January 14,2017 in Ormond Beach Florida.
After he graduated from high school his love of the mountains and skiing took him to Aspen Colorado. Bob started in Aspen as a ski instructor, and later joined the Aspen Ski Patrol.
After spending the better part of 10 years in Aspen Bob moved his family to Jackson Hole. Bob was involved with the building of the original tram. When JHMR opened he was a founding member of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol. He took over as director of the ski patrol in 1967. After several years as director of the ski patrol, Bob became mountain manager. His heart was always with the ski patrol, so he returned to the ski patrol, where he stayed until his move to fulfill his dream of owning and living on a sail boat in Florida. Bob was also involved with running the summer ski racing camps for several years.
Bob not only loved skiing, he loved music. Spare time always found him playing the guitar, and singing ski songs, as well as folk songs. He always loved a sing along, and encouraged all to sing along.
Bob was also an accomplished carpenter. He designed and built the family home after the move to Jackson.
He is survived by wife Robin, Daughter Annalisa, Sons Klaus and Sven, and daughter Sky, Nine grandchildren, one step-grandson, and 13 great-grandchildren.
After he graduated from high school his love of the mountains and skiing took him to Aspen Colorado. Bob started in Aspen as a ski instructor, and later joined the Aspen Ski Patrol.
After spending the better part of 10 years in Aspen Bob moved his family to Jackson Hole. Bob was involved with the building of the original tram. When JHMR opened he was a founding member of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol. He took over as director of the ski patrol in 1967. After several years as director of the ski patrol, Bob became mountain manager. His heart was always with the ski patrol, so he returned to the ski patrol, where he stayed until his move to fulfill his dream of owning and living on a sail boat in Florida. Bob was also involved with running the summer ski racing camps for several years.
Bob not only loved skiing, he loved music. Spare time always found him playing the guitar, and singing ski songs, as well as folk songs. He always loved a sing along, and encouraged all to sing along.
Bob was also an accomplished carpenter. He designed and built the family home after the move to Jackson.
He is survived by wife Robin, Daughter Annalisa, Sons Klaus and Sven, and daughter Sky, Nine grandchildren, one step-grandson, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Harry Frishman
Harry Frishman
10-15-1942 to 1-19-1981
Born October 15, 1942, in Pasadena, California, Harry Frishman moved to Jackson Hole in 1965. He worked for the ski patrol at the Jackson Hole Ski Area and became an Exum mountain guide in the late 1960s. He married his wife Libby, who was also a climber, in Katmandu, Nepal in 1972.
Between 1972 and 1979 he worked for Outward Bound in Colorado and New Mexico and led several trips to the Himalayas. Frishman, was a mainstay of the Jackson Hole community of skiers, kayakers, and climbers.
Just prior to his death, Frishman had recently returned from an unsuccessful attempt on China’s 24,950-foot Minya Konka with Yvon Chouinard, Rick Ridgeway and Kim Schmitz.
Harry died in a fall while climbing the Northwest Couloir of the Middle Teton with friend Mark Whiton on January 19, 1981. He is buried in the Elliott Cemetery, Wilson, Wyoming.
Frishman was fond of a poem by Scottish climber, Tom Patey, the last four lines of which follow:
“Live it up, fill your pep, drown your sorrow,
And sew your wild oats while ye may,
For the toothless old tykes of tomorrow,
Were the tigers of yesterday.”
At the time of his death 38-year-old Exum mountain guide and Jackson Hole ski patrolman was survived by his wife, Libby, his three-year-old son, Jackson, and a 12-year-old son, Cullen, by a previous marriage.
Frishman was also survived by his father, Andrew Jackson Frishman of Aspen, Colorado, his mother, Madeleine of Newport Beach, California, and his brother Jackson Frishman of Wilson.
10-15-1942 to 1-19-1981
Born October 15, 1942, in Pasadena, California, Harry Frishman moved to Jackson Hole in 1965. He worked for the ski patrol at the Jackson Hole Ski Area and became an Exum mountain guide in the late 1960s. He married his wife Libby, who was also a climber, in Katmandu, Nepal in 1972.
Between 1972 and 1979 he worked for Outward Bound in Colorado and New Mexico and led several trips to the Himalayas. Frishman, was a mainstay of the Jackson Hole community of skiers, kayakers, and climbers.
Just prior to his death, Frishman had recently returned from an unsuccessful attempt on China’s 24,950-foot Minya Konka with Yvon Chouinard, Rick Ridgeway and Kim Schmitz.
Harry died in a fall while climbing the Northwest Couloir of the Middle Teton with friend Mark Whiton on January 19, 1981. He is buried in the Elliott Cemetery, Wilson, Wyoming.
Frishman was fond of a poem by Scottish climber, Tom Patey, the last four lines of which follow:
“Live it up, fill your pep, drown your sorrow,
And sew your wild oats while ye may,
For the toothless old tykes of tomorrow,
Were the tigers of yesterday.”
At the time of his death 38-year-old Exum mountain guide and Jackson Hole ski patrolman was survived by his wife, Libby, his three-year-old son, Jackson, and a 12-year-old son, Cullen, by a previous marriage.
Frishman was also survived by his father, Andrew Jackson Frishman of Aspen, Colorado, his mother, Madeleine of Newport Beach, California, and his brother Jackson Frishman of Wilson.
Jim Bagley
Philip AKA “Smiley”
Philip “Smiley” Steck died at age 72 on Sept. 18 2022 in Victor, Idaho, after a short
illness.
Philip R. Steck was born Oct. 21, 1949 in Charlottesville, Virginia to James S. Steck and Rachel Shuck Steck. The family settled in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania where Phil
graduated from Shippensburg Area Senior High School. He then attended Shippensburg
State College, with an Earth Science teaching major. He was also member of the Sigma
Pi fraternity.
As a Boy Scout, Phil achieved the rank of Life Scout. His Scout leader Jack
Eschenmann, taught Phil tom fly fish starting a lifelong passion for the sport. His love of skiing also formed during his high school years when a ski resort opened near
Shippensburg.
After his junior year at Shippensburg State College, he left to spend a winter in Stowe,
Vermont. Then in fall of 1971 he and a friend drove West to find jobs where there were
better skiing and fishing experiences, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
From the 1971 to 2001 winter seasons, he was employed by Jackson Hole Mountain
Resort as a ski patrolman. During the summer seasons, from 1972 to 2008, he was self-
employed as a fly fishing guide associated with Jack Dennis Sports, Grand Teton Lodge
Co., West Bank Anglers, and Crescent H Ranch in Jackson. Smiley was also employed as a river patrol ranger by Grand Teton National Park from 1978 to 1981.
Phil was an avid golfer for 50 years with an 11 handicap. The summer of 1989 he worked for the Teton Pines golf course as a cart/ranger staff, marshal and greenskeeper.
During the winters from 2001 to 2018, Smiley enjoyed multiple trips to New Zealand.
There he worked for friends as a fishing guide, he golfed and paraglided.
Smiley leaves behind many from his ski patrol “fraternity,” his fishing “fraternity” and
his paragliding friends. He was a good, kind man, who always had a great smile, an
interesting story, and a word of advice. He will be missed!
He was preceded in death by his father James S Steck (1998) and his mother Rachel
Shuck Steck (2008.) Phil is survived by his sister Sarah “Sally” (Edward) Burke of
Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. Smiley‘s ashes have been paraglided over his favorite spots in Jackson Hole by friends.
illness.
Philip R. Steck was born Oct. 21, 1949 in Charlottesville, Virginia to James S. Steck and Rachel Shuck Steck. The family settled in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania where Phil
graduated from Shippensburg Area Senior High School. He then attended Shippensburg
State College, with an Earth Science teaching major. He was also member of the Sigma
Pi fraternity.
As a Boy Scout, Phil achieved the rank of Life Scout. His Scout leader Jack
Eschenmann, taught Phil tom fly fish starting a lifelong passion for the sport. His love of skiing also formed during his high school years when a ski resort opened near
Shippensburg.
After his junior year at Shippensburg State College, he left to spend a winter in Stowe,
Vermont. Then in fall of 1971 he and a friend drove West to find jobs where there were
better skiing and fishing experiences, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
From the 1971 to 2001 winter seasons, he was employed by Jackson Hole Mountain
Resort as a ski patrolman. During the summer seasons, from 1972 to 2008, he was self-
employed as a fly fishing guide associated with Jack Dennis Sports, Grand Teton Lodge
Co., West Bank Anglers, and Crescent H Ranch in Jackson. Smiley was also employed as a river patrol ranger by Grand Teton National Park from 1978 to 1981.
Phil was an avid golfer for 50 years with an 11 handicap. The summer of 1989 he worked for the Teton Pines golf course as a cart/ranger staff, marshal and greenskeeper.
During the winters from 2001 to 2018, Smiley enjoyed multiple trips to New Zealand.
There he worked for friends as a fishing guide, he golfed and paraglided.
Smiley leaves behind many from his ski patrol “fraternity,” his fishing “fraternity” and
his paragliding friends. He was a good, kind man, who always had a great smile, an
interesting story, and a word of advice. He will be missed!
He was preceded in death by his father James S Steck (1998) and his mother Rachel
Shuck Steck (2008.) Phil is survived by his sister Sarah “Sally” (Edward) Burke of
Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. Smiley‘s ashes have been paraglided over his favorite spots in Jackson Hole by friends.
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