Amie Lynn Huguenard

Amie Lynn Huguenard, 37, of Malibu, CA, formerly of Boulder, CO and Valparaiso, IN, passed away Sunday, October 5, 2003 in Katmai Park, Kodiak Island, Alaska. She was born October 23, 1965 in Buffalo, NY, graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1983, graduated with distinction from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1996, with a B.S. in Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, then received an advanced degree from the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine. She had currently accepted a position as Physician Assistant in Head Trauma Neurosurgery at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In addition to her medical profession, which she loved, Amie contributed significantly to the research of grizzly bears and harp seals. Her enthusiasm for the wilderness started at age 5, and led her to hiking, backpacking and survival skills. Her back country experience took her through the Adirondacks, Rocky Mountains, Grand Tetons and Wasatch Mountain Range. She was just shy of her goal to climb all of the "14ers" in the Rockies. Her passion and love for all animals was intrinsic with her spirit and concern for their protection led her to follow her heart and be active towards that goal. She met Timothy Treadwell, the founder of Grizzly People, in Boulder, Colorado at one of his presentations on grizzly bears, concerning his work with the organization and genuine love for the bears and his message persuaded her to follow her dream. Amie once said, "Because of obstacles and logistics, most people are too afraid to follow their heart, however, people who do are courageous and inspiring." Although not knowing it at the time, she was describing her own life and Timothy's. Amie had been working in the wilderness with Timothy for over 3 years, spending several weeks each summer contributing to his research of grizzlies and Harp Seals. They knew their work came with the risk of consequences and accepted that challenge, because they believed and were successful in making a difference in the bears' lives, by providing protection from poachers and trophy hunters. Their time in Alaska with the bears gave them a deep understanding of how grizzlies live and both said they would not change a thing. The last day Amie and Timothy spoke with Jewell Palovak on the satellite phone, both were ecstatic about seeing one of their favorite bears named Downy. They had seen her grow from a cub to a full grown female, along with all of her fishing escapades. If they could leave us with a lasting thought, it may be: "Respect all living things for there is a purpose for every creature in this world." Survivors include her mother, Marilyn Huguenard of Valparaiso, IN; father John J. Huguenard of San Juan Island, WA; 2 sisters, Kathleen (James) Stowell and Patricia Huguenard, all of Sugar Hill, GA; brother Jim Huguenard of Indianapolis; and 2 nephews, Nathan and Christopher Stowell. She was preceded in death by her grandparents. Following cremation, a local memorial service will be Wednesday, October 15, 2003 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Valparaiso. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until services at the Church. Memorial Contributions may be made to Grizzly PeopleSEE, P.O. Box 2872, Malibu, CA 90265. Arrangements entrusted to: Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso. angelcrestine.com