Chief Park Ranger Forest Sanford Townsley

Chief Park Ranger Forest Sanford Townsley

United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, U.S. Government

End of Watch Wednesday, August 11, 1943

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Forest Sanford Townsley

Chief Park Ranger Forest Townsley suffered a fatal heart attack while on a backcountry patrol in Yosemite National Park.

He was traveling by horse from Tuolumne Meadows to Devils Postpile National Monument when he received word that other rangers had received clues regarding a lost park visitor. Chief Ranger Townsley changed his plans and began toward Merced Lake via Vogelsang. At the next telephone station, he received word that the information was not reliable but that the ranger to whom he was speaking was going to join him to continue his patrol.

Chief Ranger Townsley stopped at Fletcher Lake to await the other ranger to continue the backcountry patrol. While there he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Chier Park Ranger Townsley had served with the National Park Service for 40 years. He was survived by his wife and five children.

Bio

  • Age 60
  • Tour 40 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Heart attack
  • Location California

Most Recent Reflection

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Thank you for your service

Nick mottola
None

August 11, 2020

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