(This press release is being issued jointly with the National Park Service.)
A memorial service for Katmai National Park ranger-pilot Tom OHara, who died Thursday in an airplane crash south of King Salmon, has been scheduled in Naknek.
OHara died on December 19 when his plane went down on the tundra east of Upper Ugashik Lake. His passenger, Corey Adler, a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, survived the crash. He is being treated for injuries sustained in the crash in the intensive care unit of Alaska Regional Hospital. He is in stable and improving condition.
Services for OHara, 41, will be held on Friday, December 27, in Naknek at 1 p.m.
OHara was an experienced commercial pilot with more than 11,000 hours flying time when he began working for the National Park Service in 1997. A lifelong resident of the King Salmon and Naknek area, OHara was a valued community member involved in his church and coaching the junior high and high school wrestling teams, and an active family man. His immediate survivors include his wife, Lucy, and children Jonathon, Heidi Jo, and Nikki.
"Tom led an incredibly rich and full life with his family, his community and in his career. We in the National Park Service were privileged to share a part of his life, and our hearts go out to his family," said NPS Alaska Regional Director Rob Arnberger. "Tom was an exceptional professional, and we are proud to have known him and worked with him."
Added Dave Allen, Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Toms family, friends and colleagues. Tom worked for our sister agency, but he was a close friend and colleague to many Fish and Wildlife Service employees as well, and we are all mourning his loss."
A memorial fund has been established in Toms name for his children. Donations can be made to the Tom OHara Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, King Salmon Alaska Branch, Account number #5198027038, Routing #125200057.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses nearly 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
- FWS -
For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov
