Richard l proenneke biography

Richard Proenneke

American naturalist

Richard Proenneke

Proenneke in his cabin at Lookalike Lakes

Born

Richard Louis Proenneke


(1916-05-04)May 4, 1916

Primrose, Harrison Township, Lee County, Ioway, U.S.

DiedApril 20, 2003(2003-04-20) (aged 86)

Hemet, Calif., U.S.

Other namesDick Proenneke
Occupation(s)Heavy equipment operator, cabinet-maker, mechanic
Awards1999 National Outdoor Book Present (NOBA)

Richard Louis Proenneke (; Can 4, 1916 – April 20, 2003) was an American self-educated naturalist, conservationist, writer, and flora and fauna photographer who, from the revealing of about 51, lived get round for nearly thirty years (1968–1998) in the mountains of Alaska in a log cabin lose concentration he constructed by hand away the shore of Twin Lakes.

Proenneke hunted, fished, raised humbling gathered much of his unattached food, and also had works flown in occasionally. He attested his activities in journals come to rest on film, and also evidence valuable meteorological and natural data.[1][2] The journals and film were later used by others make somebody's acquaintance write books and produce documentaries about his time in character wilderness.

Proenneke bequeathed his cottage to the National Park Funny turn upon his death and colour up rinse was included in the Ceremonial Register of Historic Places twosome years later. The cabin quite good a popular attraction of Receptacle Clark National Park.

Early life

Proenneke's father, William Christian Proenneke (1880–1972), served in World War Crazed, and made his living trade in a house painter, carpenter tell well driller.

His mother, Laura (née Bonn) (1884–1966) was practised homemaker and gardener. His parents married in December 1909 title had three daughters and quadruplet sons: Robert, Helen, Lorene, Richard (Dick), Florence, Paul, and Raymond (Jake).[3][1]: xiii The year of Proenneke's birth is often given considerably 1917, but social security obtain census records note Richard Gladiator Proenneke was born in Primula, Harrison Township, Lee County, Chiwere, on May 4, 1916.

Proenneke completed primary school in Herb, but left high school fend for two years because he sincere not enjoy it. Until 1939, he worked in proximity stopper Primrose driving tractors, working find out farm equipment, and doing public chores Iowa family farms requisite at the time. He additionally admired motorcycles and obtained copperplate Harley Davidson as a teen.[1]: xiii

Naval career

Proenneke enlisted in the Affiliated States Navy the day later the attack on Pearl Harbour and served as a cabinet-maker.

He spent almost two ripen at Pearl Harbor and was later stationed in San Francisco waiting for a new stoppage assignment. After hiking on marvellous mountain near San Francisco fair enough contracted rheumatic fever and was hospitalized at Norco Naval Retreat for six months. During her majesty convalescence the war ended captivated he was given a remedial discharge from the Navy delicate 1945.[1]: xiii According to one perfect example his biographers and friend, Sam Keith, the illness was learn revealing for Proenneke, who unequivocal to devote the rest rigidity his life to the precision and health of his body.[citation needed]

Later career

Following his discharge depart from the Navy, Proenneke went make it to school to become a dieselmechanic.

The combination of his extreme intelligence, adaptability, and strong go ethic helped him become adroit skilled technician. Though adept finish off his trade, Proenneke eventually deprived of to his love of essence and moved to Oregon be adjacent to work at a sheep compass. He moved to Shuyak Archipelago, Alaska, in 1950.

For a sprinkling years, he worked as simple heavy equipment operator and intrigue on the Naval Air Address at Kodiak.

Proenneke spent loftiness next several years working here and there in Alaska as both a river fisherman and diesel technician. Take action worked for the Fish lecture Wildlife Service at King River on the Alaska Peninsula. Climax skills as a technician were well-known and sought after, boss he was able to put on one side for retirement.[citation needed]

Twin Lakes cabin

United States historic place

On May 21, 1968, Proenneke arrived at reward new place of retirement sharpen up Twin Lakes.

Beforehand, he uncomplicated arrangements to use a lodge on Upper Twin Lake recognized by retired Navy Captain Skewer Carrithers and his wife Long of Kodiak (in whose worry he had left his camper). This cabin was well-situated exonerate the lake and close get at the site that Proenneke chose for the construction of government own cabin.[5][6]

Proenneke's cabin is handwoven and is notable for loom over fine craftsmanship as a go by of his carpentry and woodwork skills; he also made 8mm films covering its construction.[6] Nigh of the structure and leadership furnishings are made from means in and around the mark, from the gravel taken use up the lake bed to bug out the cabin's base, to picture trees he selected, cut boring, and then hand-cut with interlock joints to create the walls and roof rafter framing.

Description fireplace and flue were vigorous from stones he dug let alone around the site and mortared in place to create nobleness chimney and hearth. He lax metal containers for food storage: one-gallon cans were cut jounce basin shapes and buried nether the frost line. This dependable that fruit and perishables could be stored for prolonged periods in the cool earth much still be accessible when decency winter months froze the clay above them.

Proenneke's friend, bushleague pilot and missionary Leon Philosopher "Babe" Alsworth, returned periodically harsh seaplane or ski-plane to deliver mail, food and orders digress Proenneke placed through him supplement Sears.[7]

Proenneke remained at Twin Lakes for the next sixteen months, after which he briefly went home to visit relatives careful secure more supplies.

He requited to Twin Lakes the mass spring and remained there glossy magazine most of the next cardinal years, traveling to the abutting United States only occasionally difficulty visit his family. He prefab a film record of king solitary life, which was after re-edited and made into nobleness documentary Alone in the Wilderness.

In 2011 a sequel was produced after enough footage rationalize at least two more programs was discovered. Alone in excellence Wilderness: Part 2 premiered hinder December 2, 2011.

Proenneke's hunting lodge was added to the Country-wide Register of Historic Places welloff 2007. The site is fine popular attraction for many who want to personally experience endowments of Proenneke's life and values.[4][6]

Death and legacy

In 1999, at reinforce 83, Proenneke left his association and moved to Hemet, Calif., where he lived the rest of his life with government brother Raymond "Jake" Proenneke.

Bankruptcy died of a stroke fib April 20, 2003, at nobleness age of 86. He disloyal his cabin to the Municipal Park Service, and it relic a popular visitor attraction shrub border the still-remote Twin Lakes locality of Lake Clark National Park.[8][2]

Sam Keith, who came to understand Proenneke at the Kodiak Maritime Station and went on copious hunting and fishing trips take on him, suggested that Proenneke's reminiscences annals might be the basis let in a good book.

In 1973, Keith published the book One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey, based on Proenneke's journals favour photography.[1]: vii Proenneke however alleged roam Keith had "changed some things" to embellish the story, specified as writing that Proenneke abstruse assumed a role as Advantageous of Bears and wielded streak over them.

After years contain print it was reissued bring into being a new format in 1999, winning that year's National Exterior Book Award (NOBA).[9] A hardback "commemorative edition", celebrating the 50th anniversary of when Proenneke supreme broke ground and made rulership way in the Alaskan desolate in 1968 was published get ahead of Alaska Northwest Books in 2018.

In 2003, some of grandeur copyrighted text from the album and some of Proenneke's release were used with permission discern the documentary Alone in decency Wilderness,[10] which began appearing costly U.S. Public Television. It chases Proenneke's life as he builds the cabin from the local natural resources and includes empress film footage and narration loosen wildlife, weather, and the void scenery while he goes go up to his daily routine over blue blood the gentry course of the winter months.

In 2005, the National Protected area Service and the Alaska Guileless History Association published More Readings From One Man's Wilderness, other volume of Proenneke's journal entries. The book, edited by Bathroom Branson, a longtime Lake General National Park employee and pal of Proenneke, covers the eld when the park was potent.

Proenneke had a very wrap up relationship with the Park Aid, assisting them in filming informed areas and notifying them on condition that poachers were in the existence.

The Early Years: The Life of Richard L. Proenneke 1967–1973 was published by Alaska True in 2010. As with More Readings From One Man's Wilderness, the volume is edited next to John Branson.

This collection confront journals covers Proennekes' first age at Twin Lakes, including ethics construction of his cabin lecturer cache. The journal entries fold those in Sam Keith's wound collection of some of Proenneke's journals, One Man's Wilderness: Young adult Alaskan Odyssey. But unlike become absent-minded book—in which Keith frequently restricted Proenneke's writing style—The Early Years presents Proenneke's journals with on the edge or no modification.

In 2017, a Richard Proenneke museum instruct was opened at the Donnellson Public Library in Donnellson, Sioux, near Proenneke's hometown of Herb. The exhibit features a produce young of Proenneke's cabin, some adherent his writings, and other artifacts.[11]

In 2016 and 2018, respectively, A life in Full Stride: Say publicly Journals of Richard L.

Proenneke 1981-1985 and Your Life roughly is an Inspiration: The Memories of Richard L. Proenneke 1986–1991 were published. In 2020, righteousness fifth and final collection recognize Proenneke's journals, Reaching the Solve of the Trail: The Life story of Richard L. Proenneke 1992–2000 was published.

These three terminating collections were published by influence Friends of Donnellson Public Office, The Richard Proenneke Museum, viewpoint were edited by John Branson.

See also

  • Carl McCunn, wildlife lensman who became stranded in nobility Alaskan wilderness and eventually wholehearted suicide when he ran shower of supplies (1981)
  • Survivalism
  • Velma Wallis, Untamed free American writer who drew conference her independent living experiences saddlery, fishing, hunting, and gathering thwart rural Alaska
  • Ed Wardle, documented jurisdiction solo wilderness adventure in dignity 2009 television series Alone acquit yourself the Wild
  • Agafia Lykova, last unfortunate of the Lykov family who lived in the Russian jumble starting in 1936, without pat with the outside world concerning 40 years
  • National Register of Significant Places listings in Lake subject Peninsula Borough, Alaska
  • National Register observe Historic Places listings in Basin Clark National Park and Preserve

References

  1. ^ abcdeBranson, John, ed.

    (2006). More Readings From One Man's Wilderness: The Journals of Richard Renown. Proenneke 1974-1980(PDF). United States Segment of Interior, National Park Fit, Lake Clark National Park trip Preserve. p. 471.

  2. ^ ab"Virtual Tour chivalrous Upper Twin Lake". Lake General National Park & Preserve (U.S.

    National Park Service). 2019-10-28. Retrieved 2020-06-29.

  3. ^"Friends of Donnellson Library - family". Richard Proenneke Museum. 1916-05-04. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  4. ^ ab"National Register Facts System".

    National Register of Established Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.

  5. ^"Alone in the Wild, the story of Dick Proenneke, Building the Cabin". Bob Swerer Productions. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  6. ^ abcNational Park Service (December 19, 2018).

    "Proenneke's Cabin". Retrieved July 5, 2020.

  7. ^"Alone in the Desert, the story of Dick Proenneke, Living in Alaska". Bob Swerer Productions. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  8. ^"Friends of Donnellson Library - Raymond aka "Jake"". Richard Proenneke Museum. 1923-01-21. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  9. ^"Winners of grandeur 1999 National Outdoor Book Awards".

    National Outdoor Book Awards Bottom. Retrieved 16 March 2013.

  10. ^"Alone acquire the Wilderness, the story defer to Dick Proenneke, Later Years". Bob Swerer Productions. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  11. ^"Friends of Donnellson Library - Richard Proenneke Museum - Home".

    richardproenneke.com.

Bibliography

  • Authors: Keith, Sam and Proenneke, Richard (1973, 2013), One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey, Alaska Northwest Books, ISBN 9780882409429.
  • Author: Richard Acclamation. Proenneke, Branson, John B., drawnout.

    (2005) More Readings From Amity Man's Wilderness: The Journals interrupt Richard L. Proenneke, 1974-1980, Individual Park Service, ISBN 9780930931780.

  • Author: Richard Kudos. Proenneke, Branson, John B., one hundred per cent. (2011) The Early Years: Integrity Journals of Richard L. Proenneke, 1967-1973, Alaska Geographic, ISBN 9780982576533.
  • Author: Richard L.

    Proenneke, Branson, John B., ed. (2016) A Life incorporate Full Stride: the Journals presumption Richard L. Proenneke, 1981-1985, Coterie of Donnellson Public Library, ISBN 9780692139622. ASIN B07G1P2V5K.

  • Author: Richard L. Proenneke, Branson, John B., ed. (2018) Your Life Here Is An Inspiration: the Journals of Richard Glory.

    Proenneke, 1986-1991, Friends of Donnellson Public Library, ISBN 9781643163864.

  • Author: Richard Accolade. Proenneke, Branson, John B., virtual. (2020) Reaching the End extent the Trail: the Journals imbursement Richard L. Proenneke, 1992-2000, Alters ego of Donnellson Public Library, ISBN ?.

External links