The world lost a great river man when longtime river runner, environmental educator and wilderness advocate Verne Carl Huser left this planet on the night of the Beaver Full Moon, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. Verne passed away peacefully in the presence of family in Salt Lake City, Utah, a few months shy of his 91st birthday.
Born on March 2, 1931 in Schulenburg, he was the son of Carl and Emily (Leibau) Huser.
Verne earned a bachelor of science in physical education with a minor in English from The University of Texas at Austin, where he was the athletic trainer for the UT Austin baseball team when the team won the College World Series in 1952. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era, Verne took advantage of the G.I. Bill to get his master’s in education at Harden Simmons University in Abilene.
Verne earned a Fullbright scholarship in Greece (1962-63) and spent a year teaching in Thessaloniki with his first wife, Jean. Verne married his second wife, Willa Runyon, in 1972.
He enjoyed many adventures during his lifetime but throughout them all, Verne was a writer and photographer at heart. He began his writing career editing his high school newspaper in Schulenburg, covering the local sports scene (where he played football and ran track), and for newspapers nearby in San Antonio and Houston. He was a freelance writer and photographer for Sports Illustrated as well as many western and national newspapers and magazines. In 1972, Verne published his first book, “Snake River Guide” followed by several others.
A full obituary that describes his career, adventures and other aspects of his life can be found at jhnewsandguide.com by searching “Verne Huser.”
A memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at noon at Jackson Hole, Wyoming (email heidihackler@gmail.com for more information).
He is survived by his wife, Willa; children Heidi (Kirk) Hackler of Seattle, Wash./Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Paul (Darcy) Huser of Bozeman, Montana, and David (Sharon) Sonnenreich of Salt Lake City, Utah; and four grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, Carl and Emily Huser; a brother, Paul Huser of Schulenburg; and a sister, Louise Bergman of Des Moines, Iowa.
Memorials may be made to Red Butte Garden, Attn: Development Department, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108; given over the phone at 801-581-3341; or online at https://redbuttegarden.org/memorials-and-tributes. Donations should be marked “in memory Verne Huser.”