I am stunned by the terrible news of our friend Randy Hess's fall and death in the Snake River Canyon near the Hansen Bridge. I met Randy in the early 1980s when he joined the Galena Nordic Ski Patrol (before the name changed to the Galena Backcountry Ski Patrol). I worked with/for him on the river many times over the years; he was a man of his word, a fair and considerate employer and more than that, a loyal friend.
He was a generous man by nature and even though he had his share of business hassles and bad knees, nothing got him down for very long. He loved the outdoors and chose to live his life in a way that gave him great satisfaction. He brought enjoyment and environmental awareness to the thousands of guests he and his guides took down the river. Last year, at this time in April, we spent 21 days floating the Colorado River in the grandest of canyons. In all my years boating I've never experienced a trip where 13 people enjoyed such a wonderful level of harmony and camaraderie, and Randy's humor and enthusiasm was a big part of that.
The legions of his friends will fill any of the venues in the "Wood Rather" Valley for a memorial service. Yes, you read it right. Wood-ent you Rather be there than most anyplace else? I Wood. While Randy's untimely exit is a tragedy and will affect many people, I find peace in knowing that he was enjoying life on his terms in a beautiful location, planning for future business and reading the water of one of the rivers he loved so much.
Farewell, my friend. May you flow on the currents of the cosmos to the next grand adventure.
Paul L. Seramur Jr.,
"Taul Paul"
San Diego, Calif.
