Vernon O Hamre

Vernon O. Hamre, age 91, of Bozeman, died of natural causes on Saturday, November 7, 2015.

Vern was born October 21, 1924 to Louise and Ole Hamre at Gwynne, Alberta. The family moved to the Spokane Valley when he was six months old. He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane. He attended Washington State College for two years before transferring to the University of Montana. He earned a degree in Forestry from the University of Montana in 1947.

He married Jean "Pete" Elizabeth Peterson from Missoula on October 1, 1946. She also earned a degree in Forestry the same year. They were lifetime companions who had great love for each other and the out-of-doors. They shared hundreds of trips backpacking, horsepacking and canoeing. Vern took pride in telling people that he and "Pete" had slept on the ground more than two years of their married life. They had a family of three boys.

He had a fulfilling career with the U.S. Forest Service. He was Forest Ranger at Sula, Montana and Forest Supervisor at Helena. In Washington, D.C. he served as Assistant Director of Watershed Management, then as General Inspector for the Forest Service and later as Director of Job Corps Conservation Centers. The last ten years of his career he was Regional Forester of the Intermountain Region. He received several awards during his career, but was most proud of the Utah Conservationist Award by the Utah Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation. He received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Montana Forestry School alumni. He was awarded the Superior Service award by the Secretary of Agriculture.

In 1982, he and "Pete" moved to Bozeman to retire and enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, backpacking, canoeing and skiing. He worked on several conservation projects, including the acquisition of private lands in Porcupine Creek for addition to the National Forests. He liked music and belonged to the Chord Rustlers Barbershop Chorus for many years.

He was very proud of his sons whom he felt have made great contributions to the lives of others.

He was preceded in death by their son, Jon.

He is survived by his wife, "Pete" of Bozeman and by their son, Robert (Vicki) of Livingston, Montana and by son, David (Patty), granddaughter, Kate and grandson, Peter of Anchorage.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.