Scott Bush

It’s nearly my birthday, which is great except I remember two years ago at this time when I learned of my friend Greg Stark’s death atop Mt. Rainier. I was at work at the Small Schools Project when my phone rang; it was Beth Koemans. She told me she’d seen a news report about one Greg Stark and his uncle not having returned from a hike. “It could be our Greg Stark,” she said. “Maybe,” I told her, “But you don’t know yet so don’t worry.” Unfortunately, as the day wore on we knew it was our Greg who was missing and we had to hope he’d be rescued. He wasn’t.

I’m posting about Greg for two reasons. First, it’s the second anniversary of his death and I now have a blog so I can mention him. And more importantly, I’ve learned of an event in Eastern Washington called the “Greg Stark Memorial Youth Fly Fishing Event,” put on by a fishing shop called The Evening Hatch. What a cool tribute! Young people are taught to fly fish and have an opportunity to do so on the Yakima river, all in memory of Greg. If you’re a fly fisherman (or is it fisher-person?) I’d ask you to give them your business if you’re ever over there.

We miss you Greg.