Our community suffered a huge loss on Aug. 6. 2015, when John Glenn died from injuries he sustained in a work accident at Clover Meadow, where he volunteered with the Sierra National Forest.
John was my dear friend, a mentor to many, and a vigorous master of wilderness trail skills.
John and I first worked together 15 years ago when he began volunteering with the U.S. Forest Service. He served more than 4,000 hours in those years, doing trail work for a great deal of that time. John was my favorite partner in backpack log-out trips on the ‘Carsonora’ section of the PCT. And he worked with me on numerous PCT feeder trails on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. He became a specialist at crosscut sawing and using mechanical advantage to accomplish the most challenging jobs clearing fallen trees and rocks from the trails. John’s energy and positive attitude delighted me. His skills and insight made the hardest work fun. He was always first on scene and first up in the morning, and though his exuberance was contagious, no one could keep up with John Glenn!
John Glenn speaking to a class of sawyers in Sequoia National Park
Yet, while I often think about John’s skills with tools and things, his most important work was teaching that “people matter.” He stated those words in every class we co-instructed, and he demonstrated them with his genuine affection for everyone and his emphasis on safety. I now feel a deep confusion and anguish, knowing that John died in a work accident.
While I knew John as a hero in one walk, I know that he was very accomplished in many other walks of his life. He had a beloved daughter and son and precious grandchildren. He had lifelong friends dear to his heart. He served many years in demanding and fulfilling careers in the military and the U.C. Davis Veterinary School.
I remember John saying goodbye to a young crewman who was returning to school in early fall. John clasped his hand, locked eyes in farewell and said: “You are a good man!” Those words created a feeling as good and true as the mountain air. Now John leaves a grand legacy of friends, family, colleagues, students, neighbors and admirers, all wishing to say those same words to John. We will say them.
Crew from L-R: John Glenn, Zach Gray, Dolly Chapman, Shannon Hoyt (Dolly’s husband), Tyler Hill, Dolly and Shannon’s dogs, Cody and Shackleton. Crew is on a PCT feeder trail in Hoover Wilderness.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday September 25, 2015, 5 pm, at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in Fish Camp, CA. Dinner will be served. Unfortunately, the deadline for RSVP’ing to this event has passed. You may email [email protected] to inquire about space.
The family has requested that stories and pictures of John (work, teaching, adventures – army, veterinary, forest service, etc.) be written down and e-mailed to Francey at: [email protected], who will collect them on behalf of John’s children and grandchildren.
In keeping with John’s commitment to education, his family informs:
Should friends desire, volunteer hours or a donation may be provided to the following student opportunities or to another organization of choice.
- California Wool Growers Association, Scholarship Donation in Memory of John Glenn, Please make gifts payable to CWGA, insert John Glenn Scholarship in memo line, 1225 H Street, Suite 101, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 444-8122
- U.C. Davis Vet Med John Glenn Small Ruminant Scholarship; Please make gifts payable to the U.C. Davis Foundation, mail to U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 1167, Davis, CA 95617, insert John Glenn Small Ruminant Scholarship in memo line.
- The Student Conservation Association: