Park News October 7,2008

Shenandoah National Park

The search for Earl Funk continues and is now entering its eighth day. Funk was last seen around 1 p.m. on September 29th in the Cedar Mountain area. Yesterday, search teams concentrated their efforts within the park, working in areas of thick brush or woodland and steep cliffs. Funk is described as a white male with brown hair and green eyes. He is 5’ 8” tall, weights about 145 pounds, and was last seen wearing dark pants and a light shirt. Approximately 46 employees and trained volunteers, including ground searchers and one dog team, are currently involved in the search, which is a joint operation between Shenandoah National Park and the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office. These agencies are currently being assisted by the Albemarle County Police Department, a Virginia State Police dog team, Dogs East, Blue and Gray Search and Rescue Dogs, K-9 Alert, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Appalachian Search and Rescue, Rockingham Augusta Search and Rescue, DELMARVA Search and Rescue, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and Green Mountain National Forest. National Park Service employees from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Harpers Ferry, Independence, Blue Ridge, Cape Cod, Hopewell Furnace, Acadia, and Gateway have joined the search. Anyone with any information about Earl Funk is encouraged to call Shenandoah National Park at 1-800-732-0911. For additional information about the search and rescue operation please call 540-999-3300.

 

National Mall & Memorial Parks

Ian Wolfe, 24, of Bethesda, Maryland, was bicycling south across Maine Avenue heading toward the Tidal Basin parking lot around 11:20 p.m. on October 5th when he was hit by an eastbound Toyota Corolla. The car had a green traffic signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. The driver of the Toyota remained at the scene and cooperated with Park Police officers in the ensuing investigation. No charges have been placed against the driver. The eastbound lanes of Maine Avenue were closed for about four hours for crash reconstruction. Wolfe was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. [

 

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Visitor Richard Blachford parked his 2008 Jeep along Highway 244 at the No Name parking area on October 5th. While taking photos of the monument with his wife and grandchild, Blachford noticed that smoke was emanating from the Jeep’s front end. Before he could act, the engine compartment caught fire. Visitors notified park dispatch and a ranger arrived on scene within three minutes. By the time the Keystone volunteer fire department reached the Jeep, it was fully involved. Rangers and South Dakota Highway Patrol officers closed portions of the highway due to poor visibility and to provide security for firefighters. The fire was extinguished, but the vehicle was completely destroyed. The cause is under investigation. There were no injuries.

 

Pacific West Region

Dates: 10/06/2008 - 11/01/2008

An announcement has been issued for the superintendent's position at Haleakala National Park. It closes on November 1st. For details, click on the link below.





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Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Long-time seasonal interpretive ranger Harley J. Beall, 75, of Avon, Ohio, passed away of pancreatic cancer on September 15th.

Harley was born on June 11, 1933 in Shinnston, West Virginia. He was a teacher in the Lakewood (Ohio) School District, where he taught middle school and high school science for 34 years. Harley also spent 32 years as a seasonal interpreter at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Perry’s Victory International Peace Memorial and Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, and volunteered at Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico. Harley was also involved in the curriculum development for the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center

Harley was a Korean War veteran and a graduate of Fairmont State College. He earned his master’s degree in science education from the University of Montana. He was an avid photographer, with a number of his photographs being published as National Park Service postcards and posters.

He was a member of Bay Presbyterian Church, in Bay Village, Ohio, where he served as a deacon.

Harley is survived by his wife of 50 years, Faye; by his daughters Tamara Brandes (Russ) and Erica Maddux (Dave); by his son Jeffrey Beall; by eight grandchildren; and by an aunt.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.