Jim Posewitz's memory board

Alex Sienkiewicz To Gayle and to Gayle and Jim’s family: you are in my thoughts, and may you find solace in the love and life you shared with Jim. A Stranger’s Kindness I met Poz in person only a few years back. It was at a conservation event on a rainy weekend evening in Helena. It had been a very difficult year for me and my family due to some reasons that were injected into the public sphere. I am told Poz had tracked my situation from afar and had done several meaningful things to help me—-a total stranger to him at the time. With knowing eyes, Poz told me upon our eventually meeting and conversing a bit, that I should stand tall and move on to do whatever it was I wanted to do. “Write a book, keep fighting the good fight,” he said. “This is your conservation Purple Heart...” He spoke to me not only in kindness, but as a wise veteran of the conservation arena. This meant a great deal to me coming from this particular man, to whom my first exposure came decades earlier through reading his seminal exploration of hunting ethics, Beyond Fair Chase. There have been many women and men who’ve left humans in better stead and our earth a better place for their lives and work, but Jim was rare in that he helped so many of us think on an ethical level about our relationship to the earth and its places and wild creatures. Like Leopold, in a beautiful and poetic way, Jim helped teach us all to consider and reflect upon the ways we tread upon the earth, upon what we inherited in this short life, and upon what we might leave behind. Some months after first meeting Jim, I had occasion (with several other contributors on this page) to share drinks and a meal with him at a private home. Jim told many a beautiful and entertaining conservation war story as did some of his comrades around the table that evening. Knowing that Jim had a long and meaningful life of achievements, public contributions, and relationships behind him, I then reflected upon what I knew might be my last personal interaction with Jim. But as with all great women and men, the extent of Jim’s legacy and contributions may take a lifetime to fully grasp. For his vast body of work and public contributions I am grateful. Jim would undoubtedly smile at the thought of so many of us here following the bright blazes on the trail he leaves behind.

Kari Gagner

Ursula Mattson From Ursula & Dick to Poz & Gayle: Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Everything remains as it was. The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other....that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the way which you always used. Put no sorrow in your tone. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again. ****Unknown

Randy Newberg Jim, Your decades of mentorship has spared me the false comforts of ignorance and inaction. For that, these words of gratitude seem but a small payment toward a huge debt. Hopefully the rest of that debt can be repaid by acting on the spirit and fight you've instilled in so many with your leadership and example of the strenuous life well lived. My kindest thoughts for you, Gayle, and your family.

Gayle Joslin This song, composed by step-son Clayton DeSimone, was Poz's favorite, and Jim called it "Ode to the Rocky Mountain Front." May the wind sing Poz's song forever along the Front. In his memory, July 3, 2020.

Andrew Posewitz To the Happy Warrior - Safe Travels.

Eric Nuse Hi Gayle & Jim, Ingrid and I camped the last 4 days on a wilderness-like lake with our granddaughters and a friend. I brought all of your books Jim, and re-read them. Hopefully it is comforting that your words and deeds will live on. Your faith in me and friendship continues to be valuable to me and I will keep on trucking to keep the hunter's path moving forward. Your friend, Eric

Kathryn QannaYahu The first time I met Jim, back in 2012, he walked up to me, huge smile on his face, one hand extended to shake mine, the other with 4 of his books he gave me. I have since been his conservation history, politics & public trust student. We had a shared love of editorial cartoons and humor. I will miss his laughter, insights, perspective and ever ready historical references.

Eric Nuse Thinking of Poz July 4, 2020 Jim died yesterday. I had just returned from a camping trip with my granddaughters on a wilderness lake complete with nesting loons, water that you can drink and healthy perch that love a kid’s baited hook. I sent Jim and Gayle a message with a few pictures. I knew Jim was in his final days, he had chosen to stop eating a week before, and I wanted to reassure him that those of us still “in the arena” were continuing to pass on the heritage that he so eloquently dedicated his life to. I started re-reading his books on a listening point overlooking the lake and thinking about Jim and how he had influenced my life. Clearly he was a great storyteller, both of his own tales and those of the hunter conservationists like TR, Grinnell, Marsh and Leopold. But he did more than that. He was a weaver of stories. He eloquently tied the stories together and allowed the listener to see the big picture and grasp the importance of the issues. He didn’t say, “Listen up, this is important.” You knew after reading the story of the lost bull in Beyond Fair Chase that giving your all to recover an animal you had wounded was a hunter’s duty and even if you didn’t ever recover it, that was your animal and filled your tag. Jim was the kind of leader that unless you thought about it, you didn’t even know he had guided you. Lao Tze said it best: “As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!’” Farewell my friend – you exemplified a life well lived, one that made a difference for wildlife and wild places, and especially for us with the beating heart of a hunter. You gave us the gift of a moral compass and the grounding of history to guide our work forward. One of my favorite Poz quotes is, “A society or culture is ultimately measured not by what it develops or consumes, but rather by what it has nurtured and preserved.” Jim, I hope you find your seat around the hunter’s campfire with your fellow champions of conservation. In my mind, with your rifle in hand, you already have. Eric Nuse, former Director of the organization Jim founded – Orion-The Hunter’s Institute

Laurie gigette McGrath I love reading all these wonderful memories from Poz’s friends! It really shows what a very special man he was and what a huge legacy and responsibility he has left to us. I can so relate to Ed Magej’s memory of the Clark Fork River. I too traveled to Missoula with Poz and heard the entire story all the way to Missoula. (I too wish I would have taken notes!) And Eve Byron, I can not travel down I-15 without hearing the story of all those curves in the road! He did SO much. For 25 years I have worked with Poz on every book, annual reports, brochures, logos, displays, photoshop requests, and endless Theodore Roosevelt projects. I met him while working at Falcon Press Publishing and we stayed close friends ever since. Seems Like Poz and Gayle always had some project going on! I was constantly getting requests from both Jim and Gayle for different cartoons—all fun, but one request for Gayle’s birthday I would not do…”Pozy, what were you thinking!” But I did make him his cartoon about what he envisioned Heaven to be like—I think it was a suggestion from one of his son’s. He wanted to be at a campfire with his best friend Phil Tawny, his son Eric, and (you guessed it) Theodore Roosevelt–all who passed before him. He loved it and I have included a picture of Poz walking into “his Heaven”. I also painted a picture of him and thought I would surprise him. So when he was gone I went over to his house and hung it in the kitchen above the table. I removed a poster that was there and placed a card on the table under the painting.Then I went home and waited for him to call. He called and thanked me for the card but never saw the painting! He was very embarrassed that he was right in front of it and didn't notice. Geeze! He was always so funny. We will all miss Poz very much and we will always strive to carry on his legacy. I know for sure Gayle will, she has already built a legacy of her own, now she will be double- trouble! So thank you Pozy for all you have done and make sure you save me a seat by that campfire…wait, you better save a lot of seats for us! Love, gigette

Mike Korn So Long, Poz. It's been good to know ya'.

Lisa Flowers ...I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air, and to eat and sleep with the earth. - Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass Dear Poz, your teachings through actions, words, passion will live on...as we have all in our own ways learned “mountains” from you and will continue to carry the torch of conservation in our own selves, our communities, and beyond wherever the trails lead. Thank you for the colors and dimensions you added to my life and the many others...your spirit and teachings will live on. Lisa

Carl Posewitz Fair Sailing Pops...

Marisa Diaz-Waian There was no B.S. about Poz. He was the real deal. In the 2nd page of his autobiography he said: “Montana has been my home for more than half a century and because it amounts to something, it will most likely be what I see on my final day.” In death, just as in life, Poz was a man who followed through with his words. (And, with his wicked sense of humor, he would whole-heartedly appreciate this “pun-iferous” sentiment). His “best shots” have made Montana a better place. And his legacy will continue to do the same. These are the marks of a great teacher. Someone who walks the walk. Someone who inspires greatness in others. Someone whose “best shots” never end. It has been an honor and privilege knowing you, friend. Here’s to continuing kicking up dust! – Marisa READ MORE HERE: https://merlinccc.org/announcements/poz-farewell-to-a-friend-conservation-champion/

Pete Pierson My first fall quarter at the University of Montana, I was invited to the Posewitz home for Thanksgiving by Jim's son, Eric, who had in a few short months become one of the best friends I've ever known. I was simply taken in to a very full house filled with a kind of energy and atmosphere I'd never experienced. I knew then how influential Jim was in the Montana landscapes of the wild, and in who Eric was becoming. I sense Jim's influence and presence touched me through Eric's, in the words of Mary Oliver, wild and precious life. That presence still very much fills me many years later when I scramble up the last slog to the top at 13,000 feet and some change, at mile 12 of 21 in full stride of a leg of a Grand Canyon Rim2Rim2Rim, feeling the way a paddle slips into the water sliding deeper and deeper into the Boundary Waters. These lives, Jim's and Eric's, seem to remind me, often, of my responsibility for these places, and in this world, and the gift to be able to strive to live up to it. My thoughts with all the Posewitz clan today. It does live on, in every sense of that idea, in and through many of us.

David Lien I only crossed paths with Jim on three occasions (all at BHA Rendezvous) and exchanged a word or two at one or two of them. For surely too many to count hunter-angler-conservationists, your lifetime of selfless dedication and work has inspired and blazed a trail for all of us (and future generations) to follow. Thank you, sir. Wildlands and wildlife need many more like you.

Patt Dorsey To the family - I am deeply sorry for your loss. I hope you find great comfort in your memories and those that others find important to share with you. I was fortunate to have worked with Jim through Hunter Education and more fortunate to have taken a float on and pitched into the Yellowstone. A glorious day of sun, philosophy and things to ruminate on. My short tribute is below. There are great biologists and advocates for the outdoors. There are great writers and orators that are able to move people. There are very few great biologists that can tell a story, relating it to the human family. Poz had that Leopold-like ability to tell a story: A story that moved you emotionally and intellectually - without telling you what to think. You could "feel" what to think in your bones. Poz could share and impart the importance of our sense of place with people without professional training, who have never hunted, or have never seen the vast landscapes of the West or the best wild places. Was it skill? Or was it Poz's humanity that allowed him to speak from the heart, not from the head?

Matthew Posewitz Thank you for everything dad - especially our adventures into the wild outdoors!

Andrew Posewitz Here is John's full post