Paul Fritz
1929-2000

Longtime IWP member Paul Fritz, 71, of Boise, died Sunday, December 24 in Missoula of cancer.

After a distinguished career in the National Park Service, Paul's second career began, as an environmental activist. He was instrumental in many groups, including the Hells Canyon Preservation Council, the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Committee for Idaho's High Desert and the Craters of the Moon Development Corp. He attended numerous environmental conferences every year. Paul also had a big hand in getting Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument protected by sponsor Sen. James McClure. In 1997 Paul bought a second home in St. George, Utah, where be began spending the winters. 

Whether working for the National Park Service or volunteering with conservation groups, Paul's entire life was devoted to protecting the national treasures in the West. He will be missed by his many friends and everyone he worked with on environmental issues.

Paul Fritz Memorial Potluck

Under the leadership of Ed Robertson of Boise, a memorial potluck and remembrance of Paul Fritz will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2001. The memorial will be at Craters of the Moon National Monument. Readers interested in attending should plan on meeting at the Monument Visitors Center south of U.S. Highway 20, at noon. The Monument is located about 20 miles west of Arco, Idaho.

Ed Robertson is planning to charter a bus for the occasion which will leave Boise earlier that day. Readers interested in signing on for the bus transport to Craters from Boise should contact Ed at: iwm3®home.com.

The memorial is a celebration of Paul's active and remarkably varied life and his support and encouragement of dozens of groups working for positive change in the management of all public lands but especially those administered by the National Park Service. Everyone is invited to bring Paul stories and some healthy libations to help warm the day and our memories.

David Chism
1950 - 2000

David Eugene Chism, 49, of Ketchum, Idaho and Taos, New Mexico, who piloted WWP's Public Land Air Force in the summer of 2000 died November 30, 2000, in a plane crash in the mountains near Taos. David was born December 6, 1950, in Casper, Wyoming.

David loved the outdoors and his passions were flying and skiing. He was also a fine, precision craftsman.

Most recently he ran a construction crew in Ketchum and volunteered his time and plane for conservation groups including the Boulder-White Clouds Council and Idaho Watersheds Project.

David moved to Taos in early November for a construction project and was planning to return to Stanley, Idaho in late spring to spend the summer flying for WWP in Idaho's backcountry.

He will be greatly missed by a wide circle of friends in New Mexico, Idaho and Alaska. His energy, wonderful smile, spirit of adventure and love of life made him a magnificent friend. His friends and especially the conservation community of central Idaho grieve his loss.