Leaders L-R

Lajeuness, John
Crescenta Valley Group; 20's & 30's Singles; Chapter Fundraising Trips
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1992, 1996); Angeles Chapter Chester Versteeg Outings Award (1999)
John Lajeuness over the years has organized trips and events, which have combined outdoor experiences, fundraising, and conservation out-reach. In 1987, he organized the Crescenta Valley Group 4 Star Committee, which has led many successful outings, including the Chapter's annual Alaska cruise, car camps and weekend getaways. These outings have raised funds for the Chapter as well as for such conservation efforts as the campaigns to stop development in the Tujunga Wash and the Verdugo Hills. In addition, Lajeuness has served as Council Chair and Ex-Officio member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Crescenta Valley Group and the Verdugo Hills Group and on the Management Committee of the 20's and 30's Singles Section. -2000 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Lantz, Dennis - Active 1972-
SPS
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1976)

Lauck, Donna
Palos Verdes-South Bay
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1997)

LaVelle, Lester - Active 1933-51 (18 Years)
Ski Mountaineers; Local Hikes; HPS

Lester LaVelle con-fabbing with fellow Desert Peakers, circa 1952. L to R: Eric Kent, Parker Severson, Fred Bode, Lester LaVelle. -Photo from Rosie & Lloyd Balsam Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Lawton, Emil - Active 1972-
SFV; BMTC
Extraordinary Achievement Award (1978, 1996); Angeles Chapter Phil Bernays Service Award (1993); Angeles Chapter Lifelong Service Award (1999)
Emil Lawton, who received Extraordinary Awards in 1978 and 1996 and the Phil Bernays Award in 1993, has had a varied tenure with the Chapter beginning with his 15- year service as an instructor for the Basic Mountaineering Training Committee (the precursor of the Wilderness Training Committee). As a charter member of the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force, he led hikes to familiarize people with the need to save the Santa Monicas. He became a member of the Solid Waste Subcommittee and the Energy Subcommittee, and organized a Pesticides Subcommittee. He was Program Chair and lecturer for five years on the former Conservation Training Course. Lawton chaired the Political Committee for nine years and remains active with the committee. He has also served on the Chapter's Elections Committee and is a member of the Sierra Club California Executive Committee, where he serves as the chair of its Political Committee. -2000 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Levy, Lou (d.)
Santa Monica Mountains Task Force; Inner City Outings Committee; Recreational Outdoor Accessibility for the Disabled (ROAD)
Extraordinary Achievement Award (1978); Angeles Chapter Conservation Service Award (1982); Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1987, 1992)
From the 1983 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "Lou's major concern since joining the Club in 1970 was the preservation of the Santa Monica Mountains. His lobbying efforts in Washington were aimed at the establishment of the SMMNRA, and later were focused on funds for park land acquisition. He has given numerous lectures, attended hearings, provided testimony, and done trail work. His greatest contribution was his book Day Walks in the Santa Monica Mountains. Everything about that book he did personally-the writing, the printing, the sales, the distribution. The book sold well, and all the proceeds went to the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force."
Lou was an early leader for ICO and ROAD. He brought interest, enthusiasm, and ideas which helped develop the committees. -Jutta Romero, Chair, ICO

Lewis, Bob - 1931-2018
Sierra Singles Section
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1998) and a Special Award in 2008
Bob Lewis was first active with Sierra Singles from 1968-70, leading backpack trips and monthly beach bike rides. He became active again with the section in 1980, served as Treasurer in 1983 and Chair in 1984. He leads bus trips and monthly Sunday walks on the Westside. He was largely responsible for founding the Sierra Singles Section (1968) of the Los Angeles Chapter and held Committee positions from 1970-2008. In 1998 he organized the 30th Sierra Singles Section reunion at Harwood Lodge. Bob is has completed the "History of Sierra Singles Section."

Lieberman, Izzy - Active 1956- (16.0+ Years)
SPS

Izzy Lieberman climbed Palm View Peak in Feb., 1956, in the company of other outstanding mountaineers. L to R: John W. Robinson, Pat Meixner, Jac Lasner, Barbara Lilley, Bud Bingham, Miles Brubacher, Izzy Lieberman. -Photo from Patricia Meixner Gentry Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Lilley, Barbara - Active 1952-Present (20.4+ Years Leading; 49.6 Years Overall Service)
Ski Mountaineers; SPS; DPS; Alpine Ski Mountaineering Committee
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1987)
A former chair of the Ski Mountaineers and founding member of the SPS and past vice chair, Bobbie emerged in the early 1950s while residing in San Diego and was willing to drive the extra distance to reach the Sierra. Once she moved to Los Angeles, her leadership qualities became even more visible. Equally skilled on snow or rock, she also was hailed as a climber who was mindful of safety but who never would give up-even when her feet were sore from 20-mile backpacks. She often quietly prodded tired male climbers to continue on, an encouragement they greatly appreciated once on a summit. After years of successful leads in the SPS and DPS and completion of the SPS, DPS and HPS lists, Bobbie turned her attention to other high points in the Southwest and today most likely has the broadest range of climbing experience in that region than any other Angeles Chapter female member. Her written accounts of some of these independent experiences have inspired other leaders to broaden their climbing plans. -Jerry Keating

Lindberg, Gordon
HPS; Rio Hondo; Lower Peaks Committee
HPS John Backus Leadership Award (1988); Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1982); Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1999)
Gordon has been a mainstay of the Rio Hondo Group since becoming a member of the Club in 1973. His first position on the management committee was as outings chair, and from there he went on to serve as group chair for five years. He is currently the group's representative to the Chapter Council. As an active outings leader for the group he leads the popular weekly Puente Hills evening hike. -1983 Chapter Awards Banquet
Gordon Lindberg, who won a Special Service Award in 1982, is an active leader for the Hundred Peaks Section, having led more than 100 of the peaks on the HPS List. He also leads trips and serves as the Treasurer for the Lower Peaks Committee and is the Chapter Council Representative and Outings Chair for the Rio Hondo Group. -2000 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Gordon Lindberg helping fellow Hundred Peakers celebrate on the summit of Iron Mountain #1, April 21, 2001. L to R: Tom Armbruster, Virgil Popescu, Gordon Lindberg, Alice Goldberg, Beverley Rawls, Jack Goldberg, unidentified man. -Photo from Alice & Jack Goldberg Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Linden, John - Active 1967-1991 (24 Years)
Sierra Singles, HPS, DPS, Local Hikes; BMTC
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1981)
John Linden has led numerous and various outings, especially for the Sierra Singles Section, including Colorado River canoe and raft trips, backpacks, cross-country ski trips, and bus trips.

Lipsohn, Paul (1932-2004) - Active 1969-2001 (33 Years)
HPS, SPS, DPS
HPS John Backus Leadership Award (1970); Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1974); Angeles Chapter Chester Versteeg Outings Award (1978)
Paul Lipsohn was the driving force behind having a peak named after Weldon Heald, the founder of the Hundred Peaks Section and noted conservationist. He has been a great explorer of new territories and in 2002 completed his project of walking the perimeter of the United States.

Long, Frank
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1989)

Longaberber, Frank - Active 1972-
Long Beach
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1983)

Lorme, Ray
Santa Clarita
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1995)

Lozano, Ed
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1996)

Lubin, Ed
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1994)

Lucas, Merwin ("Luke") (d.)
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1990)

Lynch, Jason
Wilderness Adventures Section; Wilderness Training Committee (WLA); HPS; Leadership Training Committee
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1999)
Jason Lynch has been an outstanding leader of more than 55 backpacks and hikes and has served as Outings Chair for the Wilderness Adventures Section since 1994. Lynch shares his knowledge and time to recruit new leaders and encourage them to upgrade their skills. In addition, he is Outings Coordinator for West L.A. Wilderness Training Committee. He also provides assistance with leadership and instruction for the West L.A. WTC, the Beginning Backpacking Class and Hundred Peaks Section/Leadership Training Course Navigation Practice Hikes. -2000 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

MacKelvey, George - Active 1969-
Sierra Singles; Ice Skating

MacLeod, Gordon - Active 1964-
SPS, DPS
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1979)
A former chair of the DPS and past vice chair of the SPS, Gordon emerged as a leader in the 1960s and quickly exhibited remarkable skills in trip planning and execution. An engineer, Gordon expertly converted information taken from maps and emerging peak guides into successful trips in both the Sierra and desert. Rather than repeating climbs he'd already made, most of his trips were new experiences, which demanded exceptional leadership skills. After finishing the SPS, DPS and HPS lists, Gordon shifted much of his emphasis to other high points in the Southwest and today possesses a heralded range of climbs in that region. He willingly imparts information gained from those independent explorations to today's leaders, thereby continuing to contribute to the Angeles Chapter's outings program. -Jerry Keating

Gordon MacLeod participated in an extraordinary gathering of mountaineers on the summit of Schwaub Peak in Death Valley National Park, Oct. 29, 1978. All six shown in this picture are Triple List Finishers, i.e. they have climbed all the peaks listed by the Sierra Peaks Section, Desert Peaks Section, and Hundred Peaks Section. L to R: Roy Magnuson, Gordon MacLeod, Barbara Lilley, Barbara Magnuson, Andy Smatko and Jerry Keating. -Photo from Jerry Keating Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

MacConaghy, Bob - Active 1933-43 (10.0 Years)
Local Hikes; Ski Mountaineers
Bob MacConaghy chaired the Ski Mountaineers Section in 1943.

Maier, Ted (d. 1976) - Active 1960-72* (12.2+ Years)
SPS; Mountaineering Training
A founding member of SPS and former chair, Ted was a more relaxed leader than most of his counterparts but still got his groups to the summit. He possessed a highly theatrical voice and used it to add humor to his trips. He was a family man and pioneered the family backpack and mascot undertakings of the SPS. Mascots had to have climbed six SPS peaks and be the children of regular SPSers. Ted died of natural causes in January 1976. -Jerry Keating

Malm, Margaret - Active 1972-
WLA; Outings Committee
Angeles Chapter Phil Bernays Service Award (1982)
From the 1983 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "From the time she joined the Club in 1961, Margaret has been an avid supporter of all aspects of the outings program. She is noted for advocating and leading bus trips especially for the Outings Committee and the West Los Angeles Group. She has served on the Outings Committee since 1971 including 10 years as chairperson. As an offshoot of the committee she has initiated the HIKERBUS concept for bussing to the Sierra Nevada during the summer months. She was on the management committee of the WLA Group for ten years serving as outings chair and bus coordinator. She served for six years on the Chapter's Executive Committee including terms as secretary and vice-chair. She joined the Keller Hut Committee management team in 1981 and is currently serving as vice-chair."

Margaret Malm, kneeling in center foreground, guided this Sierra Club bus trip to Yellowstone National Park in the summer of 1978. -Photo by Dick Worsfold, Dick Worsfold Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Maloy, Owen
Ski Mountaineers Section; Orange County Sierra Singles
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1999)
Owen Maloy has led ski trips annually for the Ski Mountaineers Section since 1990, served as Outings and Safety Chair in 1980 and 1997-99. Maloy is revising Outings and Safety Policies for the section as well as for the Orange County Sierra Singles Section and Range of Light Group. Maloy served as OCSS Safety Chair in 1979 and 1982 as well as Outings Chair in 1982. He has been instrumental in encouraging skiers to join Ski Mountaineers and to improve their skills. -2000 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Mamedalin, Igor
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1991)

Mamedalin, Suzanne Thomas
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1991)

Mantle, Doug - Active 1972-present (29.6 Years)
SPS, DPS; LTC; Ski Mountaineers; HPS
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1981); Angeles Chapter Chester Versteeg Outings Award (1987); Sierra Club Francis P. Farquhar Mountaineering Award (1994)
Doug Mantle is certainly one of the most outstanding mountaineers in the history of the chapter. He has climbed all the listed peaks for the SPS, DPS, and HPS four to five times, and is a past chair of the SPS and the Ski Mountaineers. He was presented with the SPS Leadership Award in 1998, and has also been recognized by national with the Francis Farquhar Mountaineering Award in 1994. Doug has climbed the highest mountain on each continent, including Everest in 1992. In his role of outings leader, he has been a sterling motivator and trainer, making major in-the-field efforts to develop new leaders and to assist his fellow mountaineers in attaining their goals. -Adapted from input received from Duane McRuer

Doug Mantle listens intently to Glen Dawson, while John W. Robinson observes. The three legends gathered at the Sierra Peaks Section's 50th Anniversary Banquet, held Oct. 16, 2005. -Photo by Bob Cates.

Marshall, Robert R. - Active 1960-
HPS, WLA
Angeles Chapter Weldon Heald Conservation Award (1969)
Angeles Chapter leader active in the crucial decade 1958-68, during which the club was transformed into a truly national organization. Important leader in the San Gorgonio Wilderness battle of the early 1960s (a founder of Defenders of San Gorgonio Wilderness); chaired Southern Section of the Conservation Committee (predecessor of the Southern California Regional Conservation Committee) 1962-65; supported formation of Chapter Advisory Council while chapter chair 1965-66. Marshall was one of the earliest instigators in the movement to reform the club finances resulting in the departure of David Brower as the club's Executive Director. Bob re-emerged in the 1980s, taking a prominent role in the establishment of the Gay and Lesbian Section and in chapter politics.

Martin, Keith
Ski Mountaineers Section; Orange County Sierra Singles; Palos Verdes-South Bay; HPS; SPS
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1999)
Keith Martin has led trips for the Ski Mountaineers Section, Orange County Sierra Singles and joint trips between the Palos Verdes-South Bay and the Hundred Peaks Section. Martin served as Program Chair for the Sierra Peaks Section 1997-99 and on the Ski Mountaineers Section's Management Committee as Outings Chair, Ski Safety, Section Chair. He is currently Vice-Chair of Ski Mountaineers. -2000 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Marx, Frankie (d. 1993) - Active 1970-
Verdugo Hills, Cabrillo
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1976); Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1987)
Frankie Marx began her many years of leadership by taking over a Cabrillo Section whitewater rafting trip when the planned leader was unable to go. From the late 1960s until her death in 1993 many more rafting trips, whale watching trips to Baja and other bus trips, carcamps and daytrips were enjoyed by her loyal fans. As an artist, she loved to include a cultural experience along with the outdoor adventures, so there were trips to the Santa Fe Opera, the Ashland Shakespeare festival, and a stopover at the Shaw festival on the way to visiting the polar bears of Churchill, Canada. She was instrumental in getting the Verdugo Hills Group organized, and served as chair and on the management committee of both Verdugo Hills and Cabrillo. Generous with sharing slides for programs or her home for parties, every outing with Frankie Marx would guarantee a fun experience for all who joined her. -Marge Fox

Mauk, Gene - Active 1972-
Verdugo Hills; SPS; LTC
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1982)
From the 1983 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "Gene began his service with the Club as a BMTC leader back in 1964. He helped found the Verdugo Hills Group and subsequently served as group vice-chair and chair. The Sierra Peaks Section has claimed his support for many years as an outstanding outings leader, secretary, vice-chair, and chair. He currently serves as the snow climbing and navigation instructor for LTC."

Maurer, Nat - Active 1967-
SFV
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1983)

McArthur, Alberta - Active 1948-66 (18.2 Years)
Ice Skating

McCosker, Joe - Active 1960- (12.6+ Years)
SFV; Local Hikes
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1980)

McDaniel, Frank Active 1964-
HPS
HPS John Backus Leadership Award (1975)

Frank McDaniel (center) with fellow Great Leaders Bob Cates (left) and Joe Young (right) on summit during dedication of Heald Peak, April 27, 1974. -Photo by Bob Cates.

McDill, George Active 1914-24 (10.2 Years)
Local Hikes

The only known photograph of early-day Great Leader George McDill is this one showing a Sierra Club group in Fish Canyon near the Monrovia-Rincon Trail Junction, taken on June 15, 1919. Four other early Great Leaders are annotated with asterisks. L to R: Edgar W. Cook*, Mr. Reiss, Alice Bates*, Mr. Bates, Josephine Spates*, Sam Marks, Mr. Hyberman, George W. McDill*, Mr. Knuth. -Photo by Edgar Cook, Edgar W. Cook Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

McElvany, Ken
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1995)

McInnis, Danny - Honorable Mention
Sierra Singles
Danny McInnis drove over 300 bus trips, mostly for the Sierra Singles.

McInnis, Dorothy Beck - Active 1975-1990 (15 years)
Sierra Singles
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1978, 1993)
Dorothy Beck McInnis led approximately 50 bus trips for the Sierra Singles in nearly over two decades of service to that section. She assisted in writing and editing the Sierra Singles Leaders' Manual. Dorothy played a key role in the planning and execution of the Chapter's Diamond Jubilee Celebration in 1986.

McKee, Norman - Active 1937-53 (16.3 Years)
Local Hikes

Great Leaders Norman McKee and Howard Gates starred in a skit performed as part of a South Seas Island Party held at Muir Lodge on Mar 22, 1937. L to R: S. Jones, L. Warner, Norman McKee, and Howard Gates. -Photo by Edgar Cook, Edgar W. Cook Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

McRuer, Duane - Active 1969-present (32.7 Years)
Angeles Chapter Phil Bernays Service Award (1973); Angeles Chapter Chester Versteeg Outings Award (1981); Sierra Peaks Section Leadership Award (1998); Angeles Chapter Lifelong Service Award (1998); HPS John Backus Leadership Award (1999); Sierra Club Oliver Kehrlein Award (1997)
Duane McRuer, a member since 1964, has won the Chapter's Phil Bernays Service Award in 1973 and the Chester Versteeg Outings Award in 1981. He has served for more than three decades in various positions on the Leadership Training Committee, the Executive Committee and as an outings leader for the Hundred Peaks, Desert Peaks and Sierra Peaks sections. More recently, he has taken the lead role in the Chapter's adaptation to the Club's restored Mountaineering Program. McRuer was the driving force in the development more than 25 years ago of the Leadership Training program that serves as the model for the entire Sierra Club. His LTC involvement remains steadfast as he helps shape the reinvigorated Snow and Rock Training, and he still conducts practice and checkoff sessions in these events. He also is a Triple Peaks List Finisher (Sierra Peaks, Desert Peaks and Hundred Peaks sections). McRuer created and endowed the Outings Leadership Award, the Chapter's highest outings award, which was later renamed for Chester Versteeg, in 1976. He was also recognized last year by the national Club with the Oliver Kehrlein Award, the highest Sierra Club Award for Outings Leadership. He is currently one of the three members of the Mountaineering Oversight Committee.-1999 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Meador, Robert
Nordic Ski Touring Section; Orange County Sierra Singles; HPS; DPS
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (2000)
A former chair of the Nordic Ski Touring Section, Robert Meador has led many ski trips for Orange County Sierra Singles, serving as chair of the OCSS Ski Committee and teaching many novices in his role as a qualified ski instructor. In addition, he has led trips for HPS and DPS. -2001 Chapter Awards Banquet

Mellon, Georgia - Active 1946-56 (10.2 Years)
Ice Skating

Georgia Mellon climbed White Mountain with this large group of Sierrans, including many other Great Leaders(*), circa 1948. Back row, L to R: Niles Werner*, unidentified person, Louise Werner*, Roland Kent (boy with cowboy hat), Elsie Kent, Bob Bear*, Margie Henderson*, Bill Henderson*, unidentified man, Jerry Zagorites*, Alden Hilton, Freda Walbrecht*. Middle row, L to R: Georgia Mellon*, Luella Todd*, Alice Bates*, Rosie Kent Balsam*, Lester LaVelle* (wearing hat), unidentified woman, Peggy Cullins. Eric Kent is at front left, James Bonner is at right front. -Photo from Elsie & Eric Kent Collection, Angeles Chapter Archive.

Mendenhall, John D. (1911-1983) - Active 1938- (34.0+ Years)
RCS; Ski Mountaineers
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1975)
As one of Southern California's earliest technical climbers, John Mendenhall made hundreds of notable ascents from 1930 until his death in 1983. -John Ripley

Mendenhall, Ruth D. (1912-1989) - Active 1938-72* (33.9+ Years)
RCS; Ski Mountaineers
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1975)
John and Ruth Mendenhall met on an RCS Tahquitz climb in 1938. They were active leaders of both the SMS and RCS, served on the SMS Central Committee, and helped build the Keller Hut. Avid mountaineers, they climbed in the Sierra, Canada, and the Alps. They were joint recipients of the Sierra Club's Francis Farquhar Mountaineering Award in 1978. Ruth was editor of the Mugelnoos for 40 years beginning in 1938, setting a unique and witty style never quite equaled by others. John was treasurer of the San Antonio and Keller ski huts from 1945-1978, and served on the Angeles Chapter Executive Committee. John was one of the extraordinary "iron men" in Chapter history, with over 75 outings leads over nearly 40 years. -John Ripley

John and Ruth Mendenhall made a number of first ascents in the Canadian Rockies. Here they are shown on one of their expeditions in the summer of 1953. L to R: Ray Van Aken, John Mendenhall, Ruth Mendenhall, Gil (last name unknown). -Photo by George Harr, from George Harr Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Merrifield, Doris
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1985)

Merrill, Sam (1868-1948) - Active 1923-43 (19.7 Years)
Local Hikes; Ice Skating; social events; Echo Mtn Trail (Sam Merrill Trail)
As a young man, Sam Merrill was befriended by John Muir and stayed at Muir's ranch in Martinez, California. Sam later moved to Southern California, becoming active in chapter affairs (Executive Committee, 1926-35, Chair, 1934-35). The trail from Altadena to Echo Mountain, which he maintained for many years, is named in his memory.

Metcalf, Victor - Active 1960- (10.3+ Years)
ESGV

Miess, Rodna - Active 1929-56 (27.5 Years)
Two weekend camping trips 27.5 years apart

Miller, Orville - Active 1953-68 (12.4 Years)
WLA; Cabrillo; Camping; Local Hikes

Miller, Ruth
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1983)

Mitchell, Oscar - Active 1940-52 (11.9 Years)
Ice Skating; Local Hikes; Moonlight Hikes

Mlyniec, Natalie - Active 1972-
Cabrillo; Sierra Singles; Verdugo Hills
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1980)

Molnar, Steve (d.) - Active 1961- (11+ Years)
Camera; Local Hikes, HPS

Moore, Jan - Active 1969-
Sierra Singles; Ice Skating
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1982)
From the 1983 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "Jan has been a staunch supporter of the Sierra Singles Section from the date of her Club membership in 1968. She has been leading and cooking for both social and work parties at Keller Hut and Harwood Lodge since 1970. She has been a leader of bus trips since 1974, and has served on the management committee as vice-chair and program chair. Jan makes a success of all events that she undertakes - ask anyone who attended the '81 and '82 Christmas parties which she organized."

Morris, Joseph
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1993)

Mosauer, Walter (1905-37)
Ski Mountaineers
Considered the founder of the Ski Mountaineers Section in 1934, Viennese-born Walter Mosauer was a professor of zoology and ski team coach at UCLA. He introduced skiing to many enthusiasts, and is known as the 'Father of Alpine Skiing' in Southern California, where he was delighted to find mountains to climb, snow on which to ski, and students eager to ski. Mosauer died prematurely as a result of blood poisoning contracted during a zoology expedition in Mexico.

Muns, Bob - Active 1963-present (38.4 Years)
NSS; Moonlight Hikes
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1983); Angeles Chapter Elna Bakker Nature Interpretation Award (2000)
Bob Muns has been a leader and naturalist in the Natural Science Section since 1969. During his more than 30 years as a volunteer he has taught Club members about California's botanical riches. For every hike he organizes, Muns prepares a list of native plants likely to be found in the area, and he provides that list to each trip participant. Often he hand-draws and letters a booklet diagramming those plants. He is currently working on new lists of the Verdugo Mountains plants. Over the years, Muns has compiled over 25 booklets and plant lists. He sells these materials at cost to various nature centers, including Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, and provides booklets to colleges as classroom texts. Muns works diligently to teach others that our native plants deserve to be protected. -2001 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Murray, William J. - Active 1929-42 (13.0 Years)
Local Hikes; Swimming

Bill Murray is pictured with this group of friends and fellow Great Leaders(*) on the summit of Mt. Williamson in the Sierra Nevada in 1931. L to R: Helen Melhorn, D.D. Chalmers*, Jim Parsons, Bill Murray*, and Kasper Casperson*. -Photo by Niles Werner, Louise & Niles Werner Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Neat, Elizabeth
Inner City Outings
Elizabeth Neat has been a member of ICO for only about four years but in that time already made her mark on the committee by leading two to four hikes per month, establishing E.Y.E.S. (Educating Youth in Environmental Settings), being Secretary of ICO and writing the "Monthly Bulletin" as well as the quarterly "Pathways" newsletter. Besides all that she eagerly volunteers when extra help is needed. -Jutta Romero, ICO Chair

Najemnik, George
20s & 30s Sierra Singles
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1997)

Nelson, Blanche - Active 1940- (31.9+ Years)
Ice Skating; Local Hikes; NSS; Moonlight Hikes
Blanche Nelson compiled a remarkably long record in hosting events for the now-defunct Ice Skating Committee.

Nelson, Gordon - Active 1959- (13.3+ Years)
Local Hikes; Palos Verdes; WLA; NSS; Cabrillo; Moonlight Hikes

Newman, Lester - Active 1932-50 (17.4 Years)
Local Hikes; Moonlight Hikes

Nienhuis, John (1901-93) - Active 1950-93 (42.8 Years)
NSS; Local Hikes; Pasadena Group; Camping
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1976); Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1987)
John Nienhuis was a mailcarrier, who took a mailcarrier's holiday by hiking with the Sierra Club every chance he got. He had a natural curiosity and gravitated to the Natural Science Section, for which he led many trips over the years. John's tall, lanky figure was a regular fixture on mid-week hikes throughout the '70s and '80s. -Bob Cates

Nienhuis, Louise - Active 1951-93 (42.5 Years)
NSS; Camping
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1982)
From the 1983 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "For thirty-three years Louise has been active within the Sierra Club. She worked on the Southern Sierran in various capacities for fourteen years. She served on the Natural Science Section management committee for six years including a term as secretary-treasurer. The Pasadena Group has had Louise's support since 1961. She and her husband, John, have led innumerable outings. In fact, the Nienhuis name has never been out of the Schedule since 1950."

Nies, Charles - Active 1928-45 (17.2 Years)
Swimming; Ice Skating; Moonlight Hikes

Nilsson, Eivor - Active 1970's-
HPS; Nordic Skiing; Backpacking Committee; LTC; Sierra Singles
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1982); HPS John Backus Leadership Award (1983); HPS R.S. Fink Service Award (1985)
From the 1983 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "Eivor has been unstinting in her support of the Hundred Peaks Section since 1971. She has served as the section's secretary, vice-chair, outings chair and chair. She makes a point of leading beginners' hikes to introduce the local mountains to newcomers. In addition, she leads for the Ski Mountaineers, the Backpacking Committee and has recently become active with the LTC." Eivor also served for 2 years on the Chapter Executive Committee.

Noel, Francis ("Frank") - Active 1927-41 (13.8 Years)
Local Hikes; Ice Skating

Frank Noel celebrated July 4th with this group on the summit of Mt. Langley in 1930. L to R: Kasper Casperson (bandana), Niles Werner (foreground, wearing hat), D.D. Chalmers, four unidentified figures, Frank Noel (hatless, at far right). -Photo from H.R. "Bob" Sturdevant Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Norman, Maurice - Active 1937-48 (11.6 Years)
Local Hikes; Moonlight Hikes; Camping

Maurice Norman made it to the top of Split Mountain in the Sierra Nevada with this group in September of 1937. L to R: Helen Melhorn, Louise Werner*, Luella Todd*, Maurice Norman*, Alice Bates*, Walt Hennies, unidentified person, Rose Smith, D.D. Chalmers*, and Don Kelly*. It was a very stong group as witnessed by the preponderance of Great Leaders(*). -Photo by Niles Werner, Louise & Niles Werner Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Nutting, Elsie - Active 1925-48 (23.5 Years)
Local Hikes; Nature Study Group

The only picture we have of Elsie Nutting is with this group on the summit of "North Baldy" (Mt. Baden-Powell), on Oct. 10, 1931. She is the 3rd person from the right, sitting on the ground. -Photo from H.R. "Bob" Sturdevant Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Olin, Sarah ("Sally") (1897-1999) - Active 1924-97 (42.4 Years Leading, 72.5 Years Overall Service)
Local Hikes; Pasadena Group; Evening Dinners Committee
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1980)
When Sally Olin died at the age of 102, she had been a Sierra Club member for over 80 years. She led for the Local Hikes Committee for 42.4 years; then later served as hostess and presented programs at meetings.

Oliver, Bill
SPS; LTC; WTC
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1991)
Bill Oliver has chaired the Sierra Peaks Section twice, and currently chairs the National Mountaineering Oversight Committee. He is also the Vice-Chair of the Leadership Training Committee and serves on the Wilderness Training Committee.

Bill Oliver greeting three other Great Leaders at the Sierra Peaks Banquet, Jan. 1990. L to R: Bill Oliver, Glen Dawson, Dick Jones, Nate Clark. -Photo by Bob Cates.

Olsen, Gene (1928-1993) - Active 1969-1992 (23 Years)
DPS; BMTC; LTC
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1982); Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1989)
From the 1983 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "Gene has provided service to the Club since 1969 as one of the outstanding hike leaders in the Desert Peaks Section. He has been an energetic BMTC leader and instructor for the past 12 years. He has served as Red Cross instructor for LTC. But, for the most part, you can find him out nearly every weekend leading or joining in on desert peakbagging trips."

Ossofsky, Sy - Active 1959- (13.6+ Years)
Ski Mountaineers; SPS; RCS; DPS
A former chair of the Ski Mountaineers, Sy also was an active leader in the RCS and SPS. He chaired the RCS in 1963 and the Ski Mountaineers 1965-68. Apart from his expertise on skis, Sy was best known for his skills on rock-climbing routes. He retired early from his Los Angeles-area engineering position and relocated to Bishop where he could enjoy views each day from his new home. -Jerry Keating

Ostrenga, Ed (d.) - Active 1962-
WLA; Moonlight Hikes Committee (Griffith Park Evening Hikes); Cabrillo; Outings Committee
Ed Ostrenga was the first Super Leader. In 1962, he hit the chapter like a tornado, and for more than a decade there seemed never a week in the Activity Schedules when one or more outings by Ostrenga wasn't present (212 outings in 10 years). He instigated a regular West Los Angeles evening hike, and followed that up by starting the evening conditioning hikes at Griffith Park, leading hundreds of those events over the years. Although other leaders had occasionally led bus trips, Ostrenga was the first to do so on a regular basis, starting a revolution in weekend and longer trips that soon spread throughout the chapter.

Two extraordinary West Side bus-trip leaders from the 1960s-70s, Ed Ostrenga on the left and Bob Funke on the right, in Feb. 1971. -Photo by Dick Worsfold, Dick Worsfold Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

O'Sullivan, Bridget
Sierra Singles Section
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1989, 1999)
Bridget O'Sullivan, who received an Outings Service Award in 1989, has held Sierra Singles Section Management Committee positions of Chair, Outings Chair and Secretary. O'Sullivan reintroduced Sierra Singles canoe trips to Black Canyon and Colorado River, and Mono Lake kayak trips. For the past 18 years, O'Sullivan has led varied and interesting trips in Northern and Southern California locales. -2000 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Otto, Gerald (Jerry) - Active 1929-52 (22.4 Yrs)
Local Hikes; Ice Skating

Owen, Julia - Active 1956-67 (11.2 Years)
Camping

Palmer, S. Copeland ("Cope") - Active 1941-53 (11.3 Years)
Local Hikes; HPS

Parizek, Rudy - Active 1938-58 (20.6 Years)
Led 2 trips 10.6 yrs apart; Local Hikes

Pendleton, Hugh
Palos Verdes-South Bay
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1991)
Hugh has been an active outings leader for PV-SB since 1977. Outings led include dayhikes, bike trips, bus/ski trips and moonlight hikes. He has been organizing and finding leaders for our monthly moonlight hike since 1985. He also served on our ExCom in the 1980s. A significant non-Club contribution: Hugh has been an active member of the National Ski Patrol for 43 years!

Peterson, Ed - 1905-2005 (Active 1941-1993; 31.7+ Years Leading; 52.1 Years Overall Service)
Nature Study Group; NSS; Local Hikes; HPS; Pasadena; Moonlight Hikes; Knapsack; DPS
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1981)

Petinak, Marko, Dr. (1895-1963) - Active 1931-48 (17.5 Years)
Local Hikes; desert camping

Petitjean, Bernard - Active 1966-
HPS
HPS John Backus Leadership Award (1972)

Petzold, Dave
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1992)

Peyser, Art
Inner City Outings Committee; Wilderness Adventures Section
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1986); Angeles Chapter Chester Versteeg Outings Award (1992)

Peyser, Bobbie
Inner City Outings Committee; Wilderness Adventures Section
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1986); Angeles Chapter Chester Versteeg Outings Award (1992); Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1996)
Art and Bobbie Peyser were founding members of ICO approximately twenty years ago. They have each served their time as Chair, and Bobbie is fondly known as "The Bus Queen" for the years and years which she served as ICO's Bus Coordinator. Art is currently in charge of Mailings for ICO. They are also active in the Wilderness Adventures Section of the Sierra Club. -Jutta Romero, ICO Chair

Peyton, Jack - Active 1930-49 (18.9 Years)
Local Hikes; Ice Skating; Bicycling; prolific leader

Jack Peyton, on the far right, with other Great Leader Jerry Otto, flank unidentified women hikers on their way up San Gabriel Peak in 1931. Peyton was a prolific leader of a wide variety of outings. -Photo by H.R. "Bob" Sturdevant.

Pierce, Elgin - Active 1947- (22.5+ Years)
RCS; NSS; Local Hikes; Moonlight Hikes; Camping; River Touring; Ice Skating

Elgin Pierce climbed with the elite mountaineers of the day, as shown here on the summit of Lone Pine Peak on Aug. 14, 1949. Back row, L to R: Parker Severson, Georgie White, Margie Henderson, Bob Bear, Marie Smith, Tony Gamero. Middle row, sitting, L to R: Lloyd Balsam, Rosie Kent Balsam, Louise Werner, Bill Henderson, then standing are Marion Dean and Willard Dean. Front row, L to R: Glen Warner, Chuck Gerckens, Howard Hill, Alden Hilton (in front of Rosie Balsam), Walter Collins, F. Collins, Freda Walbrecht (rt foreground), unidentified hatless man in sunglasses, and Elgin Pierce. -Photo by Niles Werner, Louise & Niles Werner Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Pies, Don - Active 1980s-present
Ski Mountaineers, RCS
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1984)
From 1985 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "Don joined the Sierra Club in 1974, and soon after joined the Rock Climbing Section, where he has been active ever since. He has been Chairman of the Safety Committee twice, and is one of the most outspoken supporters of safe climbing practices and has organized seminars on technical rock climbing rescue. A highly skilled climber, he has a long record of leading RCS climbs, and has participated in numerous training sessions. He has been one of the principal organizers and leaders of seminars on technical rock climbing rescue. He is equally active in the Ski Mountaineering Section."

Ramirez, Dick - Active 1972-
SFV, Backpacking Committee
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1976); Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1986); Angeles Chapter Chester Versteeg Outings Award (1989)

Reber, Barbara - Active 1972-
HPS, DPS
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1983)
Barbara Reber is associated primarily with the Desert Peaks Section, having served as Chair and a long-time editor of the section newsletter, the Desert Sage. She has climbed all the listed DPS peaks at least twice.

Reed, Katy - Active 1952- (20.2+ Years)
Ice Skating (61 evenings as of 11/7/72)

Reed, Sam - Active 1949-72* (23.3+ Years)
Ice Skating, including 8 times at Dollar Lake (79 events as of 11/7/72)
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1981)

Reznick, Barbara & Nick - Active 1967-
Palos Verdes-South Bay Group; River Touring
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1981)
The Reznicks have led outings for many years for the River Touring Section and the Palos Verdes-South Bay Group. They also have been premier fundraisers for the SC Foundation, using their home for this purpose. They have always championed environmental issues.

Rich, Art (d. 2000) - Active 1962- (10.7+ Years)
SFV; Bicycle Touring; Youth
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1980, 1988)
Over the years, Rich served in every position on the San Fernando Valley Group's Management Committee; most recently, he was outings chair. Though he was most recently known as a hike and bus trip leader, Rich had been a jack-of-all-trades for the Chapter. In the past, he was a member of the Executive Committee, served as Chapter treasurer and held numerous posts in other Chapter entities. Rich was always happy to do the grunt work, such as being treasurer for the old Conservation Training Course. An avid cyclist, he served on the Los Angeles Bicycling Advisory Committee. He also served on the old Basic Mountaineering Training Committee (now WTC). Most recently, he hiked at least twice a week in the local mountains and inspired others to become outings leaders. -Adapted from obituary by Emil Lawton, March 2000 Southern Sierran

Richardson, Harold - Active 1935-54 (19.1 Years)
Local Hikes; RCS

Richey, Catherine - Active 1958-69 (10.7 Years)
Ice Skating

Richter, Dan
SPS; DPS; Leadership Training Committee; Mountaineering Leadership Course
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1996); Sierra Peaks Section Leadership Award (1999); Angeles Chapter Chester Versteeg Outings Award (2000)
Dan Richter has given freely of his organizational and leadership skills. As chair of the LTC he revised the Leadership Training Manual with help from top climbing experts. He started the LTC rock and snow clinics with professional guides and spearheaded the Mountaineering Leadership Course. He has also served the Desert Peaks Section as council rep, chair and secretary, and the Sierra Peaks Section as secretary, membership chair, vice chair, chair and archivist. Richter has led many trips for the DPS and SPS and has conducted numerous training workshops for the LTC. He is an inspiration to climbers with his unconditional enthusiasm and caring instruction. -2001 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Rigby, Grant
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1993)

Riley, Ray (d. 2005)
Santa Monica Mountains Task Force; HPS; SPS; BMTC
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (2000)
Ray Riley's service to the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force has included stints as Outings Chair and Safety Chair. He has also been involved with the Hundred Peaks and Sierra Peaks Sections and the Basic Mountaineering Training Course. -2001 Chapter Awards Banquet Writeup

Ripley, Bob
Palos Verdes-South Bay

Ripley, John - Active 1967-present (34.4 Years)
RCS; HPS; History Committee
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1983)
John was RCS Secretary in 1977 and Chair in 1981. He has served as the unofficial historian of the RCS since the mid-1970s.

Ritschel, Paul - Active 1972-
Griffith Park Evening Hikes
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1984)
From the 1985 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "Paul has been a Sierra Club member since 1969, and has been an active Griffith Park hiker from that time to the present. In 1972, together with Elaine Burke Hamilton, he started leading the monthly Friday moonlight hikes in the park. This hike has now been going on monthly for 12 years, right up to the present. Also a runner in Griffith Park, Paul lent his voice to the Toyon II campaign, which successfully opposed creation of a new garbage dump in the park."

Roach, Greg
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1994)

Roach, Mirna
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1994)

Robbins, Royal - Honorable Mention
RCS leader 1952-57
Royal Robbins honed his skills with the Rock Climbing Section during the 1950s, becoming America's most famous climber of his generation. He made hundreds of difficult technical first ascents at Tahquitz Rock, Yosemite, and around the world. -John Ripley

Robinson, John W. - Active 1956-present (45.5 Years)
SPS; DPS; HPS; History Committee; Local Hikes
Angeles Chapter Media Award (1976); Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1990)
A founding member of the SPS and former chair, John was among the small band of dedicated weekend climbers who ventured into the Sierra in the mid-1950s-long before there were good topo maps or route descriptions. Along with Frank Sanborn, he led the first official SPS outing on May 5-6, 1956, to Deer Mtn. He also was vice chair and a prolific leader for the DPS and often led for HPS. His SPS and DPS trips attracted groups as large as 60, a number acceptable at the time to the Sierra Club. John became the first editor of the SPS bimonthly newsletter and used this vehicle to describe in words and sketches how climbers could reach the summits of the emblem and other peaks. After the SPS was well established, John redirected much of his energy to writing peak guides for Wilderness Press, this work all accomplished on a manual typewriter. These guides contained historical as well as route information, and this experience prompted John to author three hardback histories of the San Gabriel, San Bernardino and San Jacinto ranges. -Jerry Keating

Rohn, Norm (d.) - Active 1968-
SPS
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1979)
From the 1979 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "The Hundred Peaks Section and Sierra Peaks Section have been Norm's interest for over 13 years. He has led trips for both sections and served as the SPS Safety Chairman for five years. He has provided this support even though he resides in Camarillo."
Rohn climbed all the peaks in the SPS, DPS, and HPS, and was a long-time SPS Safety Chair. He was also very active in trail building and maintenance.

Rojas, Joe
Palos Verdes-South Bay Group
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1989)

Ross, Jeff
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1988)

Rowe, Allan
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1988)

Rudolph, Dick - Active 1958- (13.9+ Years)
Local Hikes; Moonlight Hikes; WLA; NSS; prolific (66 outings as of 10/1/72)

Russ, Leroy
RCS
Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1982)
From the 1983 Chapter Awards Banquet writeup: "Leroy is another member of the Rock Climbing Section who joined in 1971. He has been on the RCS management committee as secretary-treasurer, and as a member of the safety and training committees. He is particularly concerned about beginner climbers and can always be counted on to appear at the climbs where the new students are likely to appear. He has devoted enormous amounts of time improving the RCS training course. Leroy was present at the banquet after having served as Andy Fried's best man earlier in the day."

Russell, Bill T. (1921-1997)
HPS; DPS; SPS; LTC
HPS John Backus Leadership Award (1978); Angeles Chapter Outings Service Award (1980); Angeles Chapter Chester Versteeg Outings Award (1982); Angeles Chapter Lifelong Service Award (1996)
During his almost three decades of Sierra Club activities, Bill T. Russell engaged in all aspects of the Angeles Chapter's outings program-trip leader, trainer and educator of leaders, navigation guru, management of outings groups, historian and archivist, and superb exemplar of Sierra Club Outings traditions and culture. He was an extremely active leader of Hundred Peaks Section, Desert Peaks Section, and Sierra Peaks Section trips for more than twenty-five years, averaging more than a dozen trips a year throughout that period. He led all the more difficult as well as the easier peaks, and had an exceptional reputation for leading safe, well-planned and superbly navigated, successful trips. Experienced participants on these trips were left with great memories while newcomers were introduced to the mountains in the best possible way. Bill T. was one of those rare birds-a "Triple List" Finisher, having climbed all of the peaks on the Hundred Peaks Section (HPS), the Desert Peaks Section (DPS), and the Sierra Peaks Section (SPS) lists. Not only did he finish all three, but also knocked off the Desert Peaks list twice, the Hundred Peaks list three times, and achieved a second "Senior Emblem" with the Sierra Peaks. For several years he was the Chairman of the Angeles Chapter Leadership Training Committee (LTC), which is responsible for leader training within the chapter. He organized and conducted classes, lectured, improved the curriculum, etc. As an editor and co-author of the "Leaders Reference Book" he made major contributions to several editions of this enduring guidance and reference source for Angeles Chapter outings leaders (also used in several other Sierra Club Chapters). Russell is the principal author of the chapter on Navigation, an art that he had studied in great depth and practiced with great skill. He instituted the "Navigation Noodle" instructional outings for potential trip leaders, and conducted them for many years. In addition to his leadership in navigation, he also served as the LTC snow climbing chair, as a rock climbing instructor, and as a safety examiner for both the LTC and SPS. Bill T. Russell was unique in the Sierra Club as the only person who had been the chair of the LTC and of the SPS, DPS, and HPS Management Committees. Russell also served on the Angeles Chapter Executive Committee, represented the Angeles Chapter on the Sierra Club National Mountaineering Committee, and worked for many years on the Angeles Chapter Safety Committee. -Excerpted from March, 1997 Southern Sierran obituary by Duane McRuer

Bill T. Russell (far rt) celebrating his Hundred Peaks Section List Completion with two other well-known 'peak-baggers', R.S. "Sam" Fink (left) and Fred Bode (center), Nov. 14, 1976. -Photo by Robert "Bobcat" Thompson, Robert "Bobcat" Thompson Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Russell, Jack M. (d.) - Active 1950-1994 (44.3 Years)
Local Hikes; Moonlight Hikes
Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1983)

Jack Russell was among these life-time Sierrans who posed on the summit of Muir Peak in April 1977. (Great Leaders denoted by asterisks.) L To R, standing: Louise Werner*, Jack Russell*, Ottmar Goebel*, R.S. "Sam" Fink*, Fred Eaton*, George Shochat, Fern Dawson Shochat, Parker Severson*. Kneeling beside Sierra Club banner is Nathan C. Clark*. In front of him is bare-chested Howard Gates*. -Photo by Bobcat Thompson, Robert "Bobcat" Thompson Collection, Angeles Chapter Archives.

Russom, Jerry (d.) - Active 1969-
HPS
HPS John Backus Leadership Award (1974); Angeles Chapter Special Service Award (1981)

Ryan, Allen - Active 1956-67 (11.1 Years)
NSS; SFV