Park Ranger James Randall Morgenson

The simplistic beauty of Randy's doctrine as outlined in his many writings from throughout his life are as profound as they are pointed. His disgust for and disappointment of his fellow mans' disregard for the natural wilderness, which he brilliantly encapsulated with the term "Swinus Americanus" he was often heard bandying about, was absolutely justified and a perspective I share.

He was rightfully frustrated with the Federal Government's unwillingness to acknowledge the importance of the roles played by him and his colleagues by elevating their positions to that the rest of the federal government civil servant ranks, thus compensating them appropriately for their time and expertise. It's a glaring indication of where our nation collectively prioritizes the protection and management of the finite natural resources we are so fortunate to have access to.

To that point, Randy's willingness to return each year to remain active in his role, and do so in light of the unfair system which unashamedly exploited him for, is testament to his love for the natural environment and unbridled passion to protect it from those who willfully defile it.

I suspect Randy's death, while not without physical pain and emotional trauma, was a peaceful, in many ways spiritual experience for him once he came to terms with his fate. I am absolutely certain that given the choice of where his death would occur, he was exactly where he would have wanted to be.

I only wish that Randy, and individuals like him were not just celebrated after they pass away, although I could see him rejecting such notaries had that happened. I would have loved to have been privileged enough to have met him and spend as much time learning from him as he was willing to offer. I'd have been a better human being for it moving forward. All we can do now is honor his memory by being the best custodians of the planet we are so fortunate to have been born on.

Pete L.
Private Citizen

February 9, 2022