Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
About
Verne Huser Obituary
Verne Huser
Verne Carl Huser - Longtime Albuquerque resident, river runner, educator, and wilderness advocate,
Verne saw recreation as a bridge to conservation. Verne Carl Huser passed away peacefully in the presence of family in Salt Lake City, Utah Nov. 18. He
was 90.
Born and raised in Schulenburg, TX, Verne earned a BS in Phys Ed with a minor in English from the University of Texas, Austin. He served in the US Army during the Korean War, then earned his Masters in Education at Harden Simmons University, Abilene, TX.
Verne spent several summers in college working in the Grand Tetons in WY, and became enamored with river running. He loved being outdoors, as a seasonal Park Ranger, a naturalist for Lindblad cruises, and a pioneer river runner who rafted, canoed, or kayaked many western rivers including the Snake, Salmon, Rogue, Colorado, and Tatshenshini Rivers among others. As a partner in Huser-Karp Float Trips in Western Washington, he guided trips on the Skykomish, Wenatchee, and Skagit Rivers. And he rowed the Grand Canyon with family and friends for the last time at age 75.
After a Fulbright in Greece in the early '60s, Verne taught high school English and Drama, and coached track for 10 years in SoCal, WY, and OR, before a career change to environmental mediation and education took him to UT. He has two children, Heidi Huser Hackler and Paul Huser with his first wife Jean.
Verne married his second wife Willa Runyon in 1972 and helped raise her son David Sonnenreich in Salt Lake City. Verne raised his kids on outdoor adventures, always with a keen respect for Mother Nature. His career spanned environmental education and mediation, and Verne made many friends among the various Native American tribes he mediated disputes with. Verne was also an authority on the watercraft and river passages of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Verne and Willa spent 20 years living in UT, WY, and WA, before moving to NM.
A lifelong birder, naturalist, natural historian, and environmental advocate, Verne returned to teaching high school English in the 1990s at the Albuquerque Academy. He was also instrumental in
starting the
Bernalillo County Master Naturalist Program and
worked as a volunteer leading nature walks and bird walks at the Open Spaces Visitor Center and at the Rio Grande Nature Center
State Park. Verne was a tireless advocate for environmental causes. He worked with many state legislatures to protect wild and scenic rivers and open spaces. And he was particularly instrumental in the
effort to create the
Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque.
Verne was also a freelance writer and photographer, publishing his first book, Snake River Guide in 1972. His other books include River Running, Canyon Country Paddles, River Camping, River Reflections, Rivers of Texas, On the River with Lewis & Clark, Paddle Routes of Western Washington, and Bouncy the Giraffe, a children's book he wrote for his kids when they were young.
Verne educated and influenced thousands of people on the importance of our natural resources and the priceless value of wilderness. He was also a great punster! Verne loved spending time with his grandchildren teaching them about nature, always ready with a pun. Verne and his wife Willa recently moved back to Salt Lake City, UT to be closer to family.
Verne is survived by his loving wife Willa Huser, Salt Lake City, UT, daughter Heidi Huser Hackler (Kirk) Seattle, WA/Mexico, son Paul Huser (Darcy Cruwys) Bozeman, MT, son David Sonnenreich (Sharon) Salt Lake City, UT, and four grandkids, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Donations in Verne's name may be made for a memorial bench at Red Butte Gardens, Salt Lake City, UT. Please mark your donation "in memory of Verne Huser". The bench will be dedicated later this spring. Donations may be mailed to Red Butte Garden, Attn: Development Department, 300 Wakara Way, SLC, UT 84108, or by calling (801) 581-3341 or
online at https://
redbuttegarden.org/
memorials-and-tributes/
We're sure Verne is now floating rivers in the great beyond. A memorial will be held next September in Jackson Hole, WY. For more info please contact
[email protected].
Verne Carl Huser - Longtime Albuquerque resident, river runner, educator, and wilderness advocate,
Verne saw recreation as a bridge to conservation. Verne Carl Huser passed away peacefully in the presence of family in Salt Lake City, Utah Nov. 18. He
was 90.
Born and raised in Schulenburg, TX, Verne earned a BS in Phys Ed with a minor in English from the University of Texas, Austin. He served in the US Army during the Korean War, then earned his Masters in Education at Harden Simmons University, Abilene, TX.
Verne spent several summers in college working in the Grand Tetons in WY, and became enamored with river running. He loved being outdoors, as a seasonal Park Ranger, a naturalist for Lindblad cruises, and a pioneer river runner who rafted, canoed, or kayaked many western rivers including the Snake, Salmon, Rogue, Colorado, and Tatshenshini Rivers among others. As a partner in Huser-Karp Float Trips in Western Washington, he guided trips on the Skykomish, Wenatchee, and Skagit Rivers. And he rowed the Grand Canyon with family and friends for the last time at age 75.
After a Fulbright in Greece in the early '60s, Verne taught high school English and Drama, and coached track for 10 years in SoCal, WY, and OR, before a career change to environmental mediation and education took him to UT. He has two children, Heidi Huser Hackler and Paul Huser with his first wife Jean.
Verne married his second wife Willa Runyon in 1972 and helped raise her son David Sonnenreich in Salt Lake City. Verne raised his kids on outdoor adventures, always with a keen respect for Mother Nature. His career spanned environmental education and mediation, and Verne made many friends among the various Native American tribes he mediated disputes with. Verne was also an authority on the watercraft and river passages of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Verne and Willa spent 20 years living in UT, WY, and WA, before moving to NM.
A lifelong birder, naturalist, natural historian, and environmental advocate, Verne returned to teaching high school English in the 1990s at the Albuquerque Academy. He was also instrumental in
starting the
Bernalillo County Master Naturalist Program and
worked as a volunteer leading nature walks and bird walks at the Open Spaces Visitor Center and at the Rio Grande Nature Center
State Park. Verne was a tireless advocate for environmental causes. He worked with many state legislatures to protect wild and scenic rivers and open spaces. And he was particularly instrumental in the
effort to create the
Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque.
Verne was also a freelance writer and photographer, publishing his first book, Snake River Guide in 1972. His other books include River Running, Canyon Country Paddles, River Camping, River Reflections, Rivers of Texas, On the River with Lewis & Clark, Paddle Routes of Western Washington, and Bouncy the Giraffe, a children's book he wrote for his kids when they were young.
Verne educated and influenced thousands of people on the importance of our natural resources and the priceless value of wilderness. He was also a great punster! Verne loved spending time with his grandchildren teaching them about nature, always ready with a pun. Verne and his wife Willa recently moved back to Salt Lake City, UT to be closer to family.
Verne is survived by his loving wife Willa Huser, Salt Lake City, UT, daughter Heidi Huser Hackler (Kirk) Seattle, WA/Mexico, son Paul Huser (Darcy Cruwys) Bozeman, MT, son David Sonnenreich (Sharon) Salt Lake City, UT, and four grandkids, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Donations in Verne's name may be made for a memorial bench at Red Butte Gardens, Salt Lake City, UT. Please mark your donation "in memory of Verne Huser". The bench will be dedicated later this spring. Donations may be mailed to Red Butte Garden, Attn: Development Department, 300 Wakara Way, SLC, UT 84108, or by calling (801) 581-3341 or
online at https://
redbuttegarden.org/
memorials-and-tributes/
We're sure Verne is now floating rivers in the great beyond. A memorial will be held next September in Jackson Hole, WY. For more info please contact
[email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Albuquerque Journal on Dec. 19, 2021.
Memories and Condolences
for Verne Huser
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Verne Huser's name
Memorial Events
for Verne Huser
How to support Verne's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Verne Huser's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
