Memorial for Lloyd Fagerland by Ken and Phyllis Ausk
Lloyd Fagerland joined Back country
Horsemen in the latter 1970's. He'd heard about the organizing efforts of
the original chapter in early 1973, but he was too practical to think it
would ever work. Who ever heard of people volunteering to do anything as
hard as packing and trail work? It took a couple of years for him to
realize that being a voluntary service organization to the back country was
going to work and then he embraced the concept with open arms.
Lloyd was one of the most valuable members this
organization has ever had. He served with distinction in many capacities
from President of his chapter.serving a term as Chairman of the original
BCHA, and two terms as chairman of the present organization. In 1985 BCHA
amalgamated with the High Sierra Stock Users and Back Country Horsemen of
Washington, and Lloyd was a strong supporter of this movement during
formative years. He also spent several years as editor of some of our
newsletters including our national newsletter. When the concept of LAC as a
form of land management was first initiated, Lloyd served as a member of the
core group studying issues that have effected almost all regulations for
land use planning since that time.
Lloyd was not just an armchair observer of the BCH, but
rather a fully involved member. Whether there was a packing project, a Forest
Service planning meeting, a local potluck, a state or national convention to
organize, or a threatening political issue that needed to be addressed, Lloyd
could be counted on to eagerly participate in any way he could. Lloyd was
personally responsible for recruiting new members, and always continued to
nurture new members by making sure that they were offered rides to meetings and
work projects.
Lloyd and his wife Alicia haven't been able to be active the
last few years because of health reasons, but he served as a counsel to many
and was always with us in spirit. He had the nick name of "Blue Sky" in his
home chapter. because he always insisted that the weather was going to be
good for upcoming work projects. Thank God he was a better backcountry
horseman that he was a weather forecaster!
Lloyd was a good friend, a good man in
the woods and with his horses and had a deep love for the resource. His
horses footfalls will no longer be heard in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. but
the Bob and many other wild places are the better for his commitment and
involvement..