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A Tribute to David Getches
David Getches, one of the nation’s
foremost authorities on water rights and
Native American law, died July 5, 2011,
of pancreatic cancer. He was 68. “It hurts
to lose a hero and a friend,” said Jaime
Pinkham, a Nez Perce leader who served
alongside Getches on our Governing
Council for 11 years. “His battle with cancer
was lost so quickly that it seemed to lack the
justice and fairness that characterized his
five decades of public service.”
A professor at the University of
Colorado Law School for 32 years and
eventually its dean, Getches at one point
headed the state’s Department of Natural
Resources. “We depended on him for legal
advice on all things water and wilderness,
for help with recalcitrant politicians, for his
ingenious solutions to policy challenges
large and small, or sometimes just a kind
THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY
www.wilderness.org
and encouraging word,” said Suzanne
Jones, who directs The Wilderness
Society’s programs in Colorado. “He was
like a towering ponderosa pine to us—one
that we thought would always be there,
deep-rooted, well-equipped with humor
and intelligence to withstand drought and
wildfire, providing shelter and inspiration
to so many, a mighty forest anchor .”
Getches was the founding executive
director of the Native American Rights
Fund, a national, nonprofit American
Indian-interest law firm in Boulder. “He
had a passion for both the natural world
and for Native people,” Pinkham recalled.
“Those lucky enough to get to know
David,” said Wilderness Society President
William H. Meadows, who spoke at
Getches’ memorial service, “were as
struck by his personal qualities as by his
2012 CALENDAR
© Photo: Marc Muench/Muench Photography, Inc. Calendar: BrownTrout Publishers Inc.
scholarship. He had an unbelievable work
ethic, rock-solid integrity, a belief in service
to others, an easy smile, and genuine
humility. He made the most of his years,
and all of us who learned from him will
help his legacy endure.”
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Washington, DC 20036
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