A Fond Farewell to a Wilderness Champion
Thurman H. Trosper, who was president of The Wilderness Society from 1973 to 1976 and served on our Governing Council for 15 years, died on May 26, 2007, at the age of 89. A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Trosper was a U.S. marine during World War II and then embarked on a distinguished conservation career with the federal government.
He served with the Forest Service, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, and National Park Service, where he was assistant to the director in charge of environmental affairs.
After retirement from the federal government, he devoted himself to conservation and other volunteer activities. For example, Trosper was a leader in establishing the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness in 1982, in protecting the water quality of Flathead Lake, and in defeating a dam proposed for the scenic Lower Flathead River.
“Thurman was an inspiration,” said Wilderness Society President William H. Meadows. “He led an astonishing life that made this world a better place.” A native of Ronan, Montana, Trosper is survived by his wife, Dorothy; four sons; and five grandchildren.
