Doug VanEtten

1952 - 2021

Doug Van Etten

August 8, 1952 - October 29, 2021

Doug Van Etten: Adventurer, Explorer, Organizer, Community Leader, Teacher, Geologist, Mountaineer, Traveler, White Water Boater, Skier, Community Activist, Connector, Canyoneer, Researcher, Rock Climber, Wilderness Ice Skater, Hiker, Backpacker, Ocean Kayaker.

Doug had so many hats it is impossible to cover that larger-than-life personality. Above all else, Doug loved the outdoors, especially when he could bring others with him. Since most people didn't have his skill sets, Doug would set up training, education, and assistance so that he could have company.

He would start by wanting to learn something. For example, he got interested in Archaeology, specifically Rock Art. He learned that there used to be a Grand Junction chapter for the Colorado Archaeology Society (CAS) and reactivated it. To Doug, that was the challenge. He leveraged the chapter membership from zero into one of the largest within a couple of years. He added public lectures, engaged local knowledge to lead field trips, built partnerships with CMU and other Archeology programs, all within six years. For that, GJ/CAS created a scholarship fund in his name.

Doug used this model for everything he was interested in. He spent 30 years in Alaska, leaving behind him a well-organized Meetup of 700+ outdoor enthusiasts called the Anchorage Adventurers. It is still going strong. Doug built community while he was on the Anchorage Assembly sending out newsletters to his constituency so all could benefit from learning how the assembly works and how the decisions were made.

Doug and his wife, Mary Hertert, moved to Fruita, CO, in 2011. Here, Doug opened up his toolbox of extraordinary research and organizing skills by joining and transforming an existing Meetup group into the Western Slope Adventurers, a wide-reaching website to connect outdoor enthusiasts in every kind of way. Western Slope Adventurers, GJ/CAS, Fruita Planning Commission, Real Estate Investor's group- all became groups who benefited from Doug's thirst for learning and building community.

His celebration of life will be about getting outdoors and connecting with community. Doug created his most favorite Meetup - an annual Thanksgiving Feast and Campout weekend. We've gathered together each year in Zion, Capital Reef, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands, and Bluff - with participants coming from Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah, Alaska, and Virginia to celebrate our extraordinary outdoors, share a feast and tell stories.

Doug Van Etten - your leadership and enthusiasm will truly be missed, but you'll live on in the many of us willing to actively participate indoors or out.

This year, Doug's Memorial Thanksgiving Feast and Campout sendoff will be held along the Colorado River at Lower Onion Creek Campground, Group A on Thursday, November 25.

This is the Western Slope Adventurers Thanksgiving Feast and Campout. Bring a great dish to share, and stay for the day or campout for the weekend.

Donations can be made in memory of Doug to: Doug Van Etten Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Colorado Archaeological Society, Grand Junction Chapter, P.O.Box 4853, Grand Junction, CO 81502.