Many of our members know John Heuston, the much-admired former Communications Chair of the Ozark Society. His wife Margaret has let us know that John has been moved to the Parkway Village on Chenal Parkway, and is in the Shell Center for Alzheimer’s disease. He is in Unit #9. Visitors are welcome at the Alzheimer Center, though Margaret says John probably won’t know you. When you drive in the main gate, the guard will call the Alzheimer Unit to ask if John may have a visitor. There is a protocol followed for entering and leaving the building.
As most of you know, John’s dedication to the Ozark Society’s newsletters, “Pack & Paddle” and “Paddle Trails” was a 25 year well-done effort. His unfailing determination to move conservation and preservation issues forward went back to the early days of founding the Ozark Society. He wrote articles for numerous organizations, newspapers across the state, Game and Fish Commission, the Wildlife Federation, the Wilderness Society and more – tirelessly promoting wildlife preservation, protection of streams, wetlands and forests (early speaker against clear cutting), use of prescribed fire in federally designated wilderness and clean air.
The very large body of his work, his writings, letters and photos, were donated to U. of A. Library and are being archived with other Ozark Society materials.