richard proenneke obituary
Richard Dick Proenneke was born on May 4, 1916, in Primrose, Iowa the second of four sons. They invited him up for a visit and in 1962 he got his first look at Twin Lakes country. Maybe it rubs off on them during their stints in Washington, like spruce pollen on a moose. As he put it, To look around at what you have accomplished in a day gives a man a good feeling. Though at age 81 he could still outrace young visitors on a hike up to his favorite rock, he left Twin Lakes and flew back to California in 1998 to spend the last chapter of his life with his brother. It follows Proenneke's life as he builds the cabin from the surrounding natural resources and includes his film footage and narration of wildlife, weather, and the natural scenery while he goes about his daily routine over the course of the winter months. He ends by writing, 'I thank you for your time. He donated his log cabin and most of his possessions to the National Park Service, which had managed the area since 1978, when it became part of Lake Clark National Monument. One day I learned that Dick did have a sharp side to his personality. Author: Richard L. Proenneke He did so in such a fine fashion that he, still to this day, inspires thousands with his example of a life well lived. When we share what we know, together we discover more. 56 minutes), 100 % of your donation goes to support the Richard L Proenneke Museum, To our Canadian Friends, for assistance with your purchases please contact. You may know Proenneke as the subject of four Remembering Richard Proenneke. He did, however, possess one rare gem that seems very difficult to find in our modern worldpure, unadulterated contentment. Proenneke says he . That summer Proenneke harvested spruce trees and in 1968 he began construction on what would become his cabin and wilderness home during the next thirty years. I was one of 19 rangers from the Lower 48 who had been selected and sent to Alaska to watch over the new Park Service monuments covering 48 million acres that had been designated by President Jimmy Carter. Unable to restart the iced-up engine, he made a forced landing outside of Copper Center, Alaska. Competition 101: Preparing for Your First 3-Gun Competition, TESTED: Shooting the New Hornady 7mm PRC Rifle Cartridge. The Dow Jones fell 508 points to 1,738.74 (22.61%). Im going to name it Alison Glacier. I dont know if its official or not, but years later, I learned that the Park Service stuck that name on its map. He writes 'I just want someone who knows how to live life to its fullest to show me how to stay alive,' end of quote. Now, on top of all his other self-appointed duties at Twin Lakes, Dick had fan mail to return as well. At age 51, I decided to find out.. 2 years longer than No, oh no, Dick would quickly command. When he wasnt on the farm, he was cruising around town on his Harley Davidson. He moved to Shuyak Island, Alaska, in 1950. Tributes From Chris Degernes I first met Dick in 1986 when my former husband Gary Titus and I bought one of the two private property in-holdings on upper Twin Lakes, across from Dick's place. (2) Filming the 1977 production One Mans Alaska at Emerson Falls. Proenneke's friend, bush pilot and missionary Leon Reid "Babe" Alsworth, returned periodically by seaplane or ski-plane to bring mail, food and orders that Proenneke placed through him to Sears.[7]. When he was still a teenager, Glen Alsworth Sr. began flying to Proennekes cabin to deliver his mail. His pants were just flapping in the wind where the seam used to be. He spent his first two years as a carpenters mate working in Hawaii. In 1968, Richard Proenneke a 52-year-old Iowan who'd fallen in love with the Alaska outback headed to a remote spot in the southwestern part of the state to test himself. He spent his early years in Alaska, working as a heavy equipment operator and repairman on the Naval Air Station at Kodiak. Visit The Fascinating Richard Proenneke Museum In Iowa - OnlyInYourState Copyright 2018 The Richard Proenneke Store - All Rights Reserved. Did you ever pick very large blueberries after a summer rain? This couldn't be further from the truth. Dick first visited Upper Twin Lake in 1962 at the invite of his friends Spike and Hope Carrithers of Kodiak, Alaska. My first meetings with Dick were a bit formal because of a certain amount of posturing by both of us. With the exception of a handful of nails, tar paper and some plastic sheeting, all the materials came from his surroundings. Port Alsworth, I had seen its moods in late spring, summer and early fall, that same entry continues. We'll connect you with others who know the person you follow. (2016), Author: Richard L. Proenneke, Branson, John B., ed. Pull on dry woolen socks after youve peeled off the wet ones? We would just show up, and if he was there, Dick would give us a little tour of his place, explain his daily routine and pose for pictures. Pekin Obituaries | Local Obits for Pekin, IL - Legacy.com I think we both recognized we were on the same side concerning the protection and preservation of the wildlife and natural resources in the new park site. Dick loved those things as much as anybody Id ever met. Proenneke was a tireless writer, documenting his observations in a series of journals that span nearly 30 years. We hiked and snowshoed miles and miles. If he ever fell out of the canoe he used for fishing, he would instantly freeze to death in the icy water. Richard Proenneke would be 106 years old if he was . Welcome to The Official Richard Proenneke Website. The Unbelievable Story Of Dick Proenneke, The Man Who Lived Alone In The Alaskan Wilderness For 30 Years. He also carried a camera and tripod with him, which he used to record some of his daily activities, in case anyone would ever be interested to see how he lived. AncientFaces is a 100% free and family-friendly community to share memories and connect with others to discover more about Uncovering Our Shared Memories: An Introduction to the Community Standards at AncientFaces Dick Proennekes built meat storage on stilts to keep off wild animals. Thoreau was no doubt a great philosopher, but in truth he only spent two years on Walden Pond. Richard Proenneke, whose friends called him Dick, is an icon of wilderness values and an inspiration to those who value simplicity, direct connection with nature, self-reliance, and ingenuity. Select "Add Memory" to share stories and photos. Journals #3, #4, & #5 are now available in e-book form! New Book: 'The Handcrafted Life of Dick Proenneke' - Lost Art Press He also dug up stones and mortared those in place to create the chimney and hearth. (He never had valid title to the land, but some park administrators consider the cabin a gift nonetheless.). A week or so before Dicks 80th birthday, I flew up to deliver his mail. . The votes are in! You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our, (Photo by Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, H-2190, catalog number LACL 3512, photo by Richard Proenneke), (Photo by Lake Clark National Park Service), (Photo by Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, catalog number LACL 2166, photo by Richard Proenneke), (Photo by Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, H-2167, catalog number LACL 3512, photo by Richard Proenneke), (Photo by Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, H-2342, catalog number LACL 3512, photo by Richard Proenneke), ENTER TO WIN: Free Gun Friday > Springfield Armory Hellion 5.56 Rifle * Trijicon RMR Red Dot * Black Hills Ammo *. Alone in the Wilderness, the story of Dick Proenneke, by Bob Swerer [4][6], In 1999, at age 83, Proenneke left his cabin and moved to Hemet, California, where he lived the remainder of his life with his brother Raymond "Jake" Proenneke. If they had only slowed down to savor the moment. I asked him why he was using intestines for bait. Against his doctors advice, he returned to work on the sheep ranch in Oregon. ADVERTISEMENT He took some line and threw it in the lake with a hook, and then we headed up behind his cabin. He saw his correspondence, films, and journals as a way to share a life untethered to the commercial world. It was called Black Monday. Richard Louis Proenneke was one such individual who left his career and life in the city to live in the wilderness of Alaska. Port Alsworth, (Running time approx. In addition, Dick sought to improve his mental state as well. Apart from a replica of his cabin, the exhibit also features some of his writings and other artifacts. Fans of the book (and the other publications and films) admire Proennekes self-sufficiency, close observations of nature and unencumbered, off-the-grid lifestyle. You have to take care of your feet.. AK He commonly walked the legs off people half his age, even as he approached his 80th birthday. memorial page for William Christian Proenneke (1880-1972), Find a Grave Memorial ID 126666622, citing Primrose Cemetery, Lee County, Iowa , USA . He said, Ive been practicing chin-ups so that on my birthday, I can do 80., He was up to 60 when I landed, and he said he was adding two to four a day. Again he was forced to lay low while he recuperated. As with More Readings From One Man's Wilderness, the volume is edited by John Branson. . He also worked for the Fish and Wildlife Service at King Salmon on the Alaska Peninsula for some time. Six months later, he was discharged from both the hospital and the army. When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives, I was not sure it was true, but I had been told that if Dick liked and accepted you, he would invite you for a cup of tea. Some guests would be a little timid at the prospect of a screaming gray jay landing on them, and they would just place the cracker in the palm of their hands. I first met Dick in the summer of 1979. One sunny day, Dick and I were relaxing on his well-raked beach enjoying a little chat. Dick never changed his clock for daylight savings time and thought it was dumb when Alaska merged all its time zones. Writer Sam Keith, Richard Proenneke's friend at the Kodiak Naval Station, once mentioned that his illness had worked like an eye-opener for him and shifted his focus on building bodily strength. I visited Twin Lakes the following year in October to photograph bull moose and Dall Sheep but Dick wasnt staying for the winters anymore. Learn who Richard was, about his 30 years of homesteading in Alaska, and see a lifesized replica of his Alaskan cabin. Afraid he didnt have the discipline to keep from eating the whole box at once, he stored them in an abandoned cabin he used as storage. They just worked on my senses. Although he would make a full recovery, he would never forget how weak and helpless his illness left him. He fished, hunted, gathered, and raised his own food, but he would fly in supplies occasionally. about Richard Proenneke When is his birthday? He got to work with even bigger machines when joining the U.S. Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. His skills as a technician were well-known and sought after, and he was able to save for retirement. Search Peoria obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. Diane Smith April 18, 2023 (59 years old . During the next few years, he earned a reputation as a very skilled mechanic thanks to his adaptability, strong work ethics and intelligence. While at work at Chiniak he sustained an injury that nearly cost him his vision. He went on to become a well-known Alaskan pilot and the mayor of the Lake and Peninsula Borough. Proenneke bequeathed his cabin to the National Park Service upon his death and it was included in the National Register of Historic Places four years later. Richard Proenneke, whose friends called him Dick, is an icon of wilderness values and an inspiration to those who value simplicity, direct connection with nature, self-reliance, and ingenuity. Carrithers and his wife, Hope, were building a cabin at Twin Lakes on what was then Bureau of Land Management land. The very first known Journal kept and original film Richard shot at Twin Lakes in 1965! . The cabin is a popular attraction of Lake Clark National Park. He went with the intent of raising cattle on Kodiak Island but it was not to be. Invite family and friends to share what they know about Richard L Proenneke. Come in out of the subzero and shiver yourself warm in front of a wood fire? If the jays hadnt already been drawn in by the sight and voices of lodge guests milling around the cabin, Dick would call them. He saw his correspondence, films, and journals as a way to share a life untethered to the commercial world. Wikimedia CommonsDick Proennekes built meat storage on stilts to keep off wild animals. The rumor has become fact: Hornady has expanded its Precision Rifle Cartridge family to 7mm. Not quite alone in the wilderness | Acton Institute Obituaries. Cassandra Faye Shaffer Obituary. He began keeping his Journal only after everyone had gone from Sept. 16 through Oct. 10th. Photo Gallery (U.S. National Park Service) From hunter to conservationist - explore the evolution of Richard L. Proenneke's wilderness ethos. Not long after, he and a friend set out to see the country. A Life in Full Stride: The Journals of Richard L. Proenneke, 1981-1985 An experienced solo traveler and NPCA staff member offers pro tips to make the most of your park visit. One of his admirers didnt live too far away and, in fact, owned the small lodge that had been built in the only private non-native inholding in the Twin Lakes area. Richard Proenneke - Wikipedia We still do that today. The book, edited by John Branson, a longtime Lake Clark National Park employee and friend of Proenneke, covers the years when the park was established. Dick had lots of time to think about the importance of his physical health that winter. They didn't cost me a lot of money either. Watch Proenneke's last visit to his cabin at Upper Twin Lake in the year 2000 at the age of 84. Filmed in 1977, this 27 minute long documentary can be viewed online for free at the National Archives website. He was very welcoming and very friendly, and he helped us out with all kinds of things. After Dick Proennekes death, park rangers turned his cabin into a monument. They gotta work for a living.. Volume I. A nature lover, Proenneke soon gave up his career as an engineer to work at a sheep ranch in Oregon, and later relocated to Shuyak Island, Alaska, in 1950. Flying solo in his Piper Cub, he was luckyto be in sight of a road when the engine cut out. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. Finally, Will asked, What are you going to do?, Dick replied, Oh, Im going to go visit a seamstress. He handed his clipboard to Will, turned toward the lake and took off. We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. Without the distractions of modern life, he was able to hone in on the natural world around him. During his convalescence the war ended and he was given a medical discharge from the Navy in 1945. His work can be seen in dozens of documentaries and short films. So his clock was behind mine. Richard L Proenneke of Hemet, Riverside County, California was born on May 4, 1916. Pull on dry woolen socks after youve peeled off the wet ones? What are you doing?. Amazon.com: Alone in the Wilderness : Dick Proenneke, Bob Swerer Sr . Until 1939, he worked in proximity to Primrose driving tractors, working with farm equipment, and doing typical chores Iowa family farms required at the time. She went on to spend another 20 years teaching science, math and other subjects in Alaska. richardproennekestore.com or amazon.com. Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Richard's lifetime. Then Alaska came calling. We paddled at a steady but slow pace. Even Babe Alsworth makes an appearance when he flies in to pick up Roy Allen. The average age of The Early Years: The Journals of Richard L. Proenneke, 1967-1973 More Readings From One Man's Wilderness: The Journals of Richard L. Proenneke, 1974-1980 Watch Proenneke's last visit to his cabin at Upper Twin Lake in the year 2000 at the age of 84. He primarily stored his tools and a huge pile of wood in the shed. Using simple handheld tools, many of which hed fashioned himself, he constructed a log cabin on the edge of Upper Twin Lake and went on to live in his expertly crafted home, alone, for the next 30 years. Filmed in 1977, this 27 minute long documentary can be viewed online for free at the National Archives website. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. Rebuilding a simplified Bush existence in 'The Handcrafted Life of Dick The first summer he scouted for the best cabin site, and cut and peeled the logs he would. Sadly, I missed his birthday, but I did get up to see him a week later. Wikimedia CommonsRichard Proenneke built his cabin on the remote shores of Twin Lakes. Despite his remote location and fierce independence, Dick was not a hermit; he maintained friendships and wrote back to anyone who sent him a letter. Dick explained that he scooped up the gravel from the floor one bucket at a time, took the bucket to the lake shore, washed the gravel, then spread it back on the floor of the cabin. The publication of his 1968-1969 journals in 1973, "One Man's Wilderness," was largely responsible for making Proenneke a public figure - and putting Twin Lakes on the map. For several years, he roamed across Alaska, switching between his work as a salmon fisherman and a diesel mechanic, and earned enough money to save for his retirement. For the time being, he decided to move north, where the forests were. Remembering Richard Schneider | Search Obituaries | Central Cremation Dick Proenneke: The Simplest, Wildest Man - Ballistic Magazine . His parents married in December 1909 and had three daughters and four sons: Robert, Helen, Lorene, Richard (Dick), Florence, Paul, and Raymond (Jake). NOW AVAILABLE! For Dick, nothing could be better than free film and a paycheck for doing what he loved. Mechanically gifted from an early age, the old bike was the perfect tinker toy. Most of what he did have he made himself. Cassandra Faye Shaffer Obituary (1967 - 2023) | Peoria, Illinois - Echovita Through the 1980s, Dick would spend more and more time with his journals, documenting everything he noticed in his graceful cursive script. A few feet to the south, he also built a 6-foot by 4-foot raised log cache, supported on four 9-foot-long wooden poles. Wikimedia CommonsDick Proennekes cabin sheltered him from the elements during cold Alaskan winters. Finally, in 1999, at age 82, he moved permanently to California to live with his brother, Raymond. Before long, tales of his skills as a handyman that could fix anything spread across the state. That year, two associate regional Park Service directors flew in to meet Dick. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. He would return briefly to Twin Lakes in the summer of 2000 for a taped interview and a farewell to his little cabin. I have found that some of the simplest things have given me the most pleasure, he wrote in his diaries. His friend and Lake Clark National Park employee John Branson edited his journals to publish two books, 'More Readings From One Man's Wilderness' and 'The Early Years: The Journals of Richard L. Proenneke 19671973'. . In 1995, when he was 79 years old, on October 16th, the Million Man March took place on the National Mall in Washington DC. Proenneke would have turned 100 last year; we are pleased to mark the anniversary by publishing some remembrances adapted from the book. Richard was fourth of his parents' six children. Richard Proenneke did what most nature buffs can only dream of: At age 51, he quit his job as a mechanic and moved to the Alaskan wilderness to become one with nature. This book, which includes excerpts . Can be found at Amazon Kindle, iBookstore, Kobo, SCRIBD and many more! Share highlights of Richard's life. He had two brothers, Robert and Raymond (Jake), and three sisters, Helen, Lorene, and Florence. Experiences, organizations, & how he spent his time. The finished home included a chimney, bunk bed, and large window overlooking the water. Proenneke completed primary school in Primrose, but left high school after two years because he did not enjoy it. He possessed tremendous attention to detail as the faintest track or the slightest movement was sure to catch his eye. Along with a biography composed by his friend Sam Keith, Proennekes notepads and camera footage were later turned into a documentary, Alone in the Wilderness, which shows Proennekes simple lifestyle in all its glory. Patty Brown, who was a park ranger in Alaska and California for 20 years, worked at Lower Twin Lake from 1990 to 1991. It offended him that they wanted respect because of their lofty titles, yet they didnt extend the same level of esteem to him. [1][2] The journals and film were later used by others to write books and produce documentaries about his time in the wilderness. How old was Richard when he died? Finally, he used his knife to drill a hole in the wider end of the needle. Tributes - The Richard Proenneke Store A master craftsman dedicated to living simply on the land, he used local materials, simple tools, and human ingenuity to craft a home and life in keeping with the wilderness. Fish On: Use These Simple Lessons to Catch More Fish! The journal entries overlap those in Sam Keith's edited collection of some of Proenneke's journals, One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey. Born in rural Iowa in 1916, Dick was a child of the Great Depression. He vowed it would be the last. When old man winter forced him indoors, he enjoyed reading Thoreau and Leopold, both of which he was fond of quoting in his journals. He did not walk off the map seeking gold, fur or famealthough the latter would eventually find himhe simply set out to test himself and live an honest, hardworking life. More than once he verbally confronted them over leaving behind trash or useable meat. Edited by Keith, it was re-issued on its 26th anniversary in 1999, which won the 'National Outdoor Book Award' (NOBA) that year. An hour passed, and Will looked up to see Dick coming back with his pants neatly sewed up. During the 30 years he stayed at Twin Lakes, Proenneke filled up more than 250 notepads with his diary entries. Dick took a special liking to me and showed me a lot of his favorite places around both upper and lower Twin Lakes. He next went back to school to prepare himself for a career as a diesel mechanic. After one tiring hike up and over Low Pass to the Kijik area with my sister and Dick, who was then 79 years old, we returned to soak our feet in the lake in front of Dicks cabin and eat his famous blueberries with Tang. How I wish I could tell him about it in a letter and seek his thoughts. Though adept at his trade, Proenneke eventually yielded to his love of nature and moved to Oregon to work at a sheep ranch. On my last visit to see Dick, in the late 1990s, he wanted to show some visitors the Teetering Rock above Hope Creek. Richard's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Proenneke family tree. "I have found that some of the simplest things have given me the most pleasure. the average Proenneke family member I asked him why he placed the pin on the map and he jokingly responded, So if anyone is interested enough, they would know where to look for my body! On a more serious note, visitors who had business with him could see where he was and perhaps, how long he might be gone. Occasionally, he ordered food and other items from Sears through his friend, bush pilot and missionary, Leon Reid 'Babe' Alsworth. A Life in Full Stride describes the multitude of visitors Proenneke encountered not only from the general public, but also from National Park Service staff.