Dave Brennan, the park’s chief ranger, will be retiring on December 31st. 

Inspired by childhood visits to Yosemite National Park and frequent backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada, Dave began his NPS career as a volunteer-in-park at Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP in 1980. He spent most of the next ten years working in a variety of seasonal and permanent positions at Sequoia & Kings Canyon and as a backcountry ranger at Denali National Park. Dave then transferred to Yosemite National Park as the assistant horse patrol supervisor in Yosemite Valley, followed by assignments as a shift supervisor and district ranger at the South Rim of Grand Canyon.  He moved to his current position at Crater Lake in 2000. 

“It’s been an amazing adventure”, says Dave.  “I continue to be in awe of the places I’ve worked, the incredibly talented and committed people I’ve worked with, and the never-ending variety of challenges to deal with.”  

Dave and his wife Kate plan to live in Ashland, Oregon.  He looks forward to pursuing his interest in writing, working with local volunteer groups, putting the finishing touches on a newly remodeled home, skiing the off-piste runs at Mt. Ashland, and attending fewer meetings.  

A retirement celebration for Dave and Kate will be held on Saturday, January 12th, in Ashland, Oregon.  For details and to RSVP, please contact Brad Reed at 541-594-3062 or Brad_Reed@nps.gov .  Anyone with photos, stories or other memories is encouraged to contribute – keeping in mind the old adage “never let the truth get in the way of a good story!”