Update on Friends & Alumni of the ISU Outdoor Program

ISU Outdoor Program:
Update on Friends & Alumni

Update on Friends and Alumni of the ISU Outdoor Program

This page is just getting underway. Send us information and we'll add to it! (Or, if you're already mentioned below, send us an update.) Send info to Ron Watters (wattron@isu.edu). The years in parenthesis are years when that person was active with the Outdoor Program:

Kirk Bachman (1970s), Jeff Brant (CW HOG 1980s & 90s), Bill and Peggy Burnt(1970s), Adrienne Croly(1990s), Cindy DeRoche (CW HOG 1980s & 90s), Steve DeRoche (CW HOG 1980s & 90s), Jerry Dixon (1970s and 80s), Diane Dorman (1980s), Dana Olson-Elle (all years), Seth Ellis (1970s & early 1980s), Tony Erickson (1980s) Dave Fields (1990s), John Fry (1980s), Yuki Fujita (1970s), Ike Gayfield (1970s), H. Hilbert(1970s & 80s), Dave Lovejoy (1980s), Rob Jones (all years) Peter Joyce (1980s-1990s), Tom McCurdy (CW HOG 1990s), Mary McDevitt (Gibson) (CW HOG, 1980s), Dave and Sheila Mills (1970s), Kyle Packer(1980s), Al Priddy (all years), Jeff & Kellie Rhoads(1970s), Karen & Keegan Schmidt (CW HOG, 1990s), Lorrie Sprain (CW HOG 1980s), Ray Taber (1990s), Chuck Trost(all years), Scott Tyson (1980s and 90s), George Wade (1970s), Ron Watters(all years), Cindy Whittaker (1980s), Tom Whittaker(1980s)

Friends Who Have Passed On: Bill Francis (late 1970s & 1980s), Bill March (1970s), Marilyn Smith (C.W. HOG 1980s & 90s),Jeff Splitgerber (late 1970s), Jay Anderson (1970s through 2002), Martin Bochenek (1970s & early 1980s),

John Fry. dropped us a note ....

Hi Ron & Dana, so last week I typed “dutch oven enchilada” into Google, and the number one hit was, you guessed it, the ISU Outdoor Program.   A number one hit in Google for anything is damned impressive! It was a pleasure to roam your website and to vicariously catch up on the few people that I recognized from circa ’81-83. Congratulations on the many aspects of it, book awards, etc. The program has really maximized the opportunities that have come its way.

I’ve lived in Salt Lake since graduating from ISU.   Early on, I fell in with the health care management crowd in Salt Lake and through a fairly winding route have ended up owning a small company that develops and operates value added programs for health insurance companies.   Most months I have a fair amount of time flexibility, much of which gets spent on skiing, rafting, canoeing, backpacking and hiking.

This summer, myself, my boys and eleven others spent a week on the Main Salmon. We used Blackadar to provide the rafts and shuttles, and we picked up a copy of your book on Walt.   Very well done. The plan was to have inspirational readings from it during cocktail hour, but, as they say, events over took us. The events in this case being G&Ts and the sound of the river. The first time I was on the Main was with your Advanced Kayak Workshop, which is still ranked as one of best trips of my life. John Fry 801-274-7800.   (Sept, 2005)<>

Jeff Brandt. Jeff Brandt, the previous director of the C.W. HOG program, is now working for the Pocatello school district. During his tenure as director, he put together one of HOGs most ambitious journeys ever: a trek to Everest base camp. For more information on the trek and Jeff's impressions, see Kripples in the Kumboo.

Karen & Keegan Schmidt. Great news. We just heard from Karen & Keegan Schmidt. Karen used to work for CW HOG and she sent this update:

Hi, Ron!

Our update to be added to the HOG friends list…

We had a baby boy, Liam Sai Orion, on April 13 2004. Keegan is teaching at Lewis-Clark State College and I am currently a Family Advocate with the local Head Start program here in Lewiston. My email address is karencschmidt@hotmail.com. Hope all’s well in your neck of the woods, and to get back down there for a visit before too long!

Karen

Lorrie Sprain. Lorrie (Baker) Sprain met the Hogs in the Grand Canyon while working for Martin Litton's Grand Canyon Dories. She was involved with the Hog group in the 80's, going on trips down the Salmon, Yampa and Green Rivers with Tom and Cindy Whittaker, Cindy and Steve DeRoche, Kyle Packer, Brian Hetrick and many more. She lives in San Jose,
CA with her two children and can be reached at lorrie_sprain@hotmail.com.

Tom McCurdy. Tom McCurdy was a part of C.W. HOG's All-abilities Trek which reached Everest Base Camp in May of 1998. For more on the Trek and Tom's impressions, see Kripples in the Kumboo. Tom is an active wheel chair racer and has participated in the Disabled Olympics. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys river running, diving, and skiing.

Steve DeRoche. Steve and his wife Cindy recently own Sticky Flicks, a video store in Pocatello located on 5th Avenue. Steve is a true Renaissance man. He's done a little of everything: from running his own trucking firm to fighting fires for the Forest Service to running rivers throughout the west.

He and Cindy were a part of the All-abilities Trek to Everest Base Camp in the Spring of 1998. (For more on the Trek and Steve's impressions, see Kripples in the Kumboo.) Steve is a double BK amputee and his journey to the base of the highest mountain in the world was a tremendous accomplishment. One of the Steve's childhood friends, Sandra Ricker Batterton, followed his progress on the Internet, and after Steve, Cindy and the crew returned to Pocatello, wrote this note:

It has really been interesting hearing about the Himalayan adventure. I went through elementary and high school with Steve DeRoche and am glad to see he hasn't lost his sense of humor. He sat in front of me in the 6th grade and used to turn around and stick tacks in his leg to gross me out. He used to love to turn his feet around backwards and walk down the hall to freak people out. Thanks for the memories! --Sandra Ricker Batterton, Soda Springs

Mary (McDevitt) Gibson was an active C.W. HOG member in the 1980s. We have a great series of slides in one of C.W. HOG's slide programs showing Mary flattening a fairly sizeable guy during a self defense class she took. Here's a note from Mary:

Hi Ron,

You know me best by Mary McDevitt, I was a cw hog member, I'm
married now and live in Kansas City Kansas and work at Gateway 2000. I
thought I would drop you a line, If you see any of the hogs, I would
like to talk to them. My number is 1913-788-2631.

My brother is currently on Mt. Mckinley now I hope he makes it to the top. I still
enjoy the outdoors, I go fishing, trying to set up a disable basketball
team for youngsters.

Mary (marygibson@hotmail.com)

Here's a note from Adrienne Croly. Adrienne worked part time for the Outdoor Program and produced the survival video tape which is turning into the longest running TV program ever produced in Pocatello. It shows on Pocatello Access Channel 12 about every other week.

Hola Ron,

?Como estas?
It's me, Adrienne.

I'm stuck here after work, editting our web page. I work at the Las
Cruces Museum of Natural History. Check out our web
page(http://www.nmsu.edu/Museum/), and look under pictures...The
chihuahuan Desert Times and Sunday Afternoon Science. I'm there.

I never made it to Mexico for graduate school. And am doing the teacher
thing as previously planned. And it worked out for the best. I did go to
Mexico over Xmas, and will be there this summer as it's only 40 minutes
away.

I love your web page. In fact, there are many things at the OP that I
wish this Museum did. I love working here though, it reminds me of the
OP, as I can be creative and do lots of cool stuff. I do a lot of
bilingual science education. I teach a science news writing class to
kids and a Sunday Afternoon Science program.

Saludos, Adrienne
adcroly@nmsu.edu
(April, 1998)

Here's a note from Yuki Fujita who participated with the Outdoor Program in the 1970s. He's still doing a lot of climbing. He's written several articles about his climbs which are available on his web site:

Hi Ron,

It was very nice talking to you last Friday. I browsed the ISUOP web pages. They are very nice. I am proud to be a GRADUATED member of ISUOP!

There aren't Outdoor Programs in eastern universities or colleges. Of course I was disappointed when I moved back to the east coast.

Fifteen years after moving back east, I finally made enough climbing friends and associates whom I enjoy climbing with as much as I did in the 1970s with the group that hung around the ISUOP office.

I hope you have a time to take a look at SHADE OF ICE at my website. Unfortunately, it's bit too long.

My safest e-mail address at home is <Five13@aol.com>. But, you can send me e-mail during daytime at : NYFujita@DukeEngineering.com

My website URL is http://members.aol.com/WB1Yuki/. So, if you send e-mail to WB1Yuki@aol.com, it still works.

Best Regards,

Yuki
(March, 1998)

Here's a note from Seth Ellis. Seth was an active participant in the Outdoor Program when he first arrived at the university. Later, he worked in the program as a part-time student employee and still later he worked as a graduate assistant.

Ron & Dana,

I just received my latest ISU Alum letter and, lo and behold, a WWW site. I hopped on to visit the old alma mater and was pleased to see you both still at the outdoor program.

I'm living in Cardiff By The Sea about a mile from the beach. After 5 years of trying I've changed my title from "the shittiest surfer out there" to "almost the shittiest surfer out there".

I've been married to the same woman for 7 years (a record in southern Cal) and just got tenured and promoted to associate professor of marketing at the University of San Diego. I haven't been on the sharp end of a rope or in the seat of a kayak for almost ten years. I don't miss the rope too much, but I sure miss the kayaking.

Fortunately I have been able to spend some time downhill skiing each winter. About a year ago I came out of my binding while traveling at a rather high rate of speed and dislocated my shoulder in a big way. 6 months of therapy later I had about 90% movement back and now it just twinges once in a while. I'm also skiing a little more conservatively. Getting old sucks.

The other bad habit I've developed is racing road bikes. I'm also very bad at that. The SoCal district is very competitive but I have a lot of fun riding in a pack and developing a strategy as to how I'll lose this time.

Drop a line when you get a chance, and if you're ever silly enough to get to San Diego let's be sure to get together.

Seth (sellis@acusd.edu)
(1997)

Those of you who were on river trips in the 1970s may remember George Wade who each summer drove out to Idaho from Michigan to take a break from his medical residency. George now has a thriving sports medicine practice on the Boise State University campus.

Talking about river trips, several past friends of the Outdoor Program are now running and operating their own river guide businesses. Two of them are Dave and Sheila Mills. As some of you may remember Dave started and ran the Student Union Craft Shop. He and Sheila own Rocky Mountain River Tours and offer guided trips on the beautiful Middle Fork.

Bill & Peggy Burnt also have their own river company, they run an excellent steelhead fishing operation on the Main Salmon and float trips on the Middle Fork. The name of their business is Agipah.

Kirk Bachman, who during his senior year built a yurt in the Craft shop, owns Sawtooth Mountain Guides. He offers backcountry skiing trips to yurts in the winter and mountaineering and rock climbing trips in the summer. Prior to his Sawtooth business, Kirk also owned a ski guiding business in Driggs on the back side of the Tetons.

Kyle Packer, one of C.W. HOGs founding members, is married and has two children. He and his wife Sheryl live in Illinois. In late April and May, 1998, Kyle joined C.W. HOG's All Abilities Trek into Everest Base Camp. For more information on the trek and Kyle's impressions, see Kripples in the Kumboo. Kyle who has cerebral palsy was one of HOG's most enthusiastic and active members. He was and is a hopelessly addicted river rat, having run the Alpine stretch of the Snake numerous times as well as running the Middle Fork, Main Salmon and the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. He skis, scuba dives, and has made winter trips into the yurts of the Portneuf Range Hut System. After graduating from Idaho State, he worked for Access Idaho in Pocatello and then moved to his present job in social work in Illinois. Every so often Kyle gets back to Pocatello and pops in the Outdoor Program office. He says that things are fine in Illinois, but he misses river trips and late night romps at the infamous Green-T, Pocatello's cowboy water hole.

Chuck Trost, who has helped organize a number of bird watching trips with the Outdoor Program recently retired from teaching ornithology at the university.

Ray Taber. Ray was very active in the Outdoor Program in the 1990s and he worked for both the O.P. and C.W. HOG. Here's an update from Ray (10/98):

As you know I have moved to Oregon. My family and I (Mystie and Jesse, my wife and 5yr old son) have been hiking, biking, fishing and exploring. The west coast is a very interesting place. Jessie was able to see Kieko relocated to his new home in Greenland. There are more waterfalls to visit here than there is time to journey to them. The family recently visited Cannon Beach in the shadow of the famous Haystack Rock. I miss the office and the staff at the OP. Ray.

Rob Jones. Among other passions, Rob was one of the early driving forces behind the Portneuf Range Hut System. He volunteered many hours helping get the huts up and wood cut for the season. When he moved to Salt Lake City, he continued to come up to Pocatello on yurt volunteer days to help out. He's an incredible backpacker, every summer covering miles and miles of wilderness trails. He's done a number of reports of his trips through the Idaho Alpine Club. The following note from Rob (10/98), tells a little about his write-ups, one of his recent trips, and how to access his trail reports:

www.idahoalpineclub.org

Tony Erickson. Here's a note from Tony . . .

While attending Poly high in the early 80's, I volunteered for the Hogs. What a
great time it was. I remember working out a tether system with Tom and Kyle, so he (Kyle) could ski at Caribou. What a freekin mad man Kyle was, I could hardly keep up! I worked with Tom on the Run for Your Life race in 84' or 85'; and the Pig Out's... what a party, I still have a t-shirt from
one of the first ones. Many memories building snow caves, x-country skiing with bus loads of kids and great gatherings.
I'd also like to say hi to Kelly Rhodes. I worked with her while still in Jr. High on the Para Course at ISU.
Thanks for all the good work,
Tony Erickson (ape@opusnet.com)

Dave Lovejoy

Greetings from Maine!!

A friend of mine was surfing around the other night and he found your isu outdoor program "notes from the past". He gave me a
heads up...What a riot reading the names of all those old friends. It's nice to know that the Hell Fire parties were worthy of mention!

Tom will be proud...

I am living here in Oakland, Maine - married to a wonderful woman named Wendy Burton, and we have two boys. [ages 12 and 14] I'm building houses once again, [after a seven year stint running the local Boys/Girls Club] and we spend a lot of time playing on the ocean, rivers and lakes of the area. I'm still pretty close with Tom and Cindy, although I don't see them near as much as I'd like. I sure miss Idaho, but I had to make a decision years ago to pick a spot and stick around for awhile. Maine ain't no inter-mountain West, but we've got a pretty fat life overall... I hoping to get out with my family to run the Salmon sometime in the next 2-3 years. I'd love to have them to see such amazing country!

Give my best to anyone who still remembers the early years...!

All the best!

Dave Lovejoy (wburt@midmaine.com)

In Memory of Good Friends

Jeff Splitgerber, who graduated from ISU in 1978 and was active in the Outdoor Program, was killed in a para-sailing accident in Washington on December 18, 1988. He was born July 1, 1954 at Wiesbaden, West Germany. He attended schools in Garmish, West Germany and Prescott, Arizona and college at Idaho State University. He married ISU Alumna Karen Boe in 1979, and in 1980, they moved to Leavenworth, Washington. Jeff was 34 at the time of his death.

Jeff Splitgerber, Jeff Lowe and Bill March discussing climbing routes at Zion National Park

Jay Anderson. Jay Anderson was an ecology professor at Idaho State University since 1976. He died of stroke on July 4, 2002. He loved vigorous outdoor activity and was an avid supporter of the Outdoor Program and C.W. HOG. One of his favorite activities was kayaking, and he helped organize the annual Advanced Kayaking Workshop. At the time of his death, he was between trips. He had just returned from leading an outing to the Arctic and was just about ready to embark on a 11-day kayaking trip down the Main Salmon.

Martin Bochenek who was active in the Outdoor Program in the 1970s and early 80s passed away in August of 2004. Marty was on the international exchange trip with the University of Birmingham. Bob Smith and his students from University of Birmingham took our ISU group on a two week kayaking trip on the rivers of the French Alps.

First a note we received from Martin in 1998 - and then we'll include his obituary and a newspaper story on his life . . .

Dear Ron

How's everything in your world?

I've been in Lewiston for two years; Twin Falls for three years before that. Still working juvenile justice -- currently as chief probation officer and director of Court Services for Nez Perce County. It keeps me busy. Haven't been in my boat for over four years and I'm gettin' dang tired of that. Still ski every winter.

All Good Things (!!)

Martin.
(Jan, 1998)

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Article from the Albany, Oregon Newspaper (August 2005) ....

Sale helps grieving family cope, By Caron Alarab

ALBANY, OREGON - When Martin Bochenek was first diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago, his wife and four kids pulled for him during emergency surgery.

When he started to undergo radiation and receive chemotherapy, family friends did what they could to lighten the emotional load for the family.

But when the Bochenek clan was recently told that Martin only had a few weeks to live, their community came together like never before.

"We have so many amazing people here and we've only been here for three years," Martin's oldest daughter Jordyn said. "It's just so wonderful that they were able to help us."

Whatever the family needed - whether food from Primetime Pizza, faith from their Mormon church or funds from Martin's Linn County co-workers - they got it.

"They're good people with a very strong family pride in each other," family friend Kela Lynn said of the Bocheneks. "And so many people know their kids."

In an effort to do their part, Lynn and Jenny Scheele hosted a Bochenek benefit garage sale all-day Saturday that raised more than $3,000 in sales and donations. When the sale started at 8 a.m., early-bird shoppers buzzed about tables of knick knacks and necessities. By 5 p.m., the driveway was wiped out as friends and volunteers gave the last few piles of items to the Helping Hands foundation.

Between the 10-cent bulk boxes at the curb to mountains of clothes folded behind the house, volunteers sold hundreds of new and used treasures, all of which were donated to help the Bochenek family cope with medical bills and setbacks.

Coping with Martin Bochenek's unexpected death was another matter.

Only hours before the sale started on Saturday, the 50-year-old died in his Albany home with his oldest son Jake by his side. The Bocheneks - wife Becky Jo, daughters Jordyn, 14, and Jaesi, 6, and sons Jake, 11, and Joshua, 9 - had all been planning to take Martin on a peaceful trip to the coast during the coming weeks. On Saturday, Becky Jo stayed home while the kids spent the afternoon talking about their dad with neighbors and friends at the benefit sale.

As the oldest of the four siblings, Jordyn tried to stay strong for everyone.

"It's been difficult because you don't always know what to say," said Jordyn, who will be a freshman at South Albany High School this fall. "I think they were just comforted that he is in a better place."

Although she was relieved when the sale was finally over, Lynn said it was both a financial success and an unexpected blessing as a place where friends, family, neighbors and strangers could come together.

"It's a web of community," she said with a half-smile. "There are superheros around here."

Scheele, whose husband offered services from his Internet fishing community to help raise money for the family, said if it wasn't for the community and people such as Lynn the Bocheneks would not have been able to pull through their ordeal.

"(Lynn's house) is like a second home to those kids," she said.

Thinking back to the good times with her father, Jordyn said she'll always remember him for his fun sense of humor and his amazing vocabulary. Besides remembering long, intellectual discussions and adventurous excursions on canoes and kayaks, she said he was light hearted and humorous with nurses during his chemotherapy and always had a comeback for every quip.

Considering all that Martin gave to the community as a Linn County worker, a church goer and a loyal neighbor, Jordyn said she wasn't surprised to see the community rally around the family - just thankful.

"We thank them for all that they've done," she said while wiping tears from her cheeks. "We will be sure to pay them back by doing well unto others."

Although the family has yet to make funeral arrangements, donations can be made to the Bochenek Family Fund (account number 4892466149) at Washington Mutual Bank, Santiam Highway Financial Center, 2500 Santiam Highway S.E., Suite 1, Albany, OR 97321.

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OBITUARY

Martin Bochenek

Martin Bradley Bochenek, 50, formerly of St. Anthony, died of cancer Saturday at his home in Albany, Ore.

He was born in Jackson, Miss., the third of four children of John Bernard and Barbara Elaine (Robertson) Bochenek. Martin spent his youth in Texas and Nampa, graduating from Nampa High School in 1972. He attended the University of Idaho before graduating from Idaho State University in 1984.

Martin loved working with youth, especially at-risk youth and those with special needs. Throughout college he worked as a lifeguard, school bus driver and assistant teacher for youth with disabilities. After graduating he embarked on a career in juvenile justice working at the youth services center in St. Anthony.
Subsequently he worked with at-risk youth in several juvenile justice facilities for the states of Idaho, New Mexico and most recently Oregon where he served as manager of the Linn-Benton Juvenile Detention Center. His leadership, compassion and professional skills were highly respected by the youth he worked with as well as by his peers and co-workers.

A lover of adventure, Martin enjoyed many outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking, skiing and camping. He especially enjoyed adventures and catching critters with his kids. An English major in college, he was also known for his quick wit, formidable vocabulary and remarkable ability to write and speak with clarity and eloquence.

Martin married Becky JoAnn Orr on Sep. 16, 1989, in Sunnydell. They were blessed with four children, Jordyn Mikensie, 14, Jakeb Coltyn, 11, Joshua Teygen, 9, and Jaesi Micaela, 6. Martin adored his family and loved being a dad. He leaves them with a legacy of love, family traditions and rich memories. They love him dearly and will miss him very much.

Survivors include his wife and children, all of Albany; siblings Steve (Stephanie) Bochenek of New Plymouth and Becky (Paul) Butler of Boise; in-laws Spencer and Hazel Orr and JoAnn and Jerry Cramer; sisters and brothers-in-law M'lisa and Allen Meudt, Wade and Deana Orr, Aaron and Lael Orr and Jared and Melanie Orr; and numerous nieces and nephews. Martin's parents and oldest brother Randy preceded him in death.

A viewing will be held Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at AAsum Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the LDS Church on 5th Street and Airport Road in Lebanon, Ore. Graveside services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Sutton Cemetery in Archer under direction of Flamm Funeral Home of Rexburg.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Bochenek Family Fund at the Albany Branch of Washington Mutual Bank, 2500 Santiam Hwy SE Ste 1, Albany, OR 97321.

The Outdoor Program is a part of the Pond Student Union, Student Affairs Division, Idaho State University