People of the Century

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Nominate someone who contributed to the legacy of Peninsula State Park! Tell how this person helped you understand and love Peninsula. Park superintendents and former landowners - as well as grandparents and friends - are all eligible. Write Peninsula People of the Century, PO Box 218, Fish Creek, WI 54212 or nominate online.

Person/Group Nomination
Adam I met him when camping in a cabin and we both love to fish. Every time we get a chance we have a contest to get the biggest fish and the most fish. Nominated by KJ, who enjoys finding snakes at Peninsula.
Fred Alley

May 1, 2001 stands out in my memory as much as any other date during my lifetime: The day that Fred Alley was taken from us, way too soon. Fred was and continues to be the Heart and Soul of American Folklore Theatre. His voice, his lyrics and his theatrical creations are only over-shadowed by the person he was. AFT blossomed while he was with us and continues to blossom in his memory. We miss you, Fred. Tom Blackwood, Peninsula Superintendent (1986 to present).

Bringing great affordable family theater to an awesome scenic setting. Anonymous nomination.

Our family just loved Fred and AFT, still do. I was near tears a few minutes ago when remembering why I took the photo [to be used in the Centennial Reader] of Fred, "because we never no when life as we know it changes." Fred sort of chuckled at me wanting to take the pciture ... Nomimnated by Roger Hamilton.
Kristie Ambrosius Who do you call when your computer won't work? Thanks Kristy for helping us stay connected. You rock! Nominated by the Peninsula State Park Staff.
Norm Aulabough My husband and I met Norm while camping at Peninsula Park. he has a warm personality and is a friendly guy. I mentioned that I saw his name in a book called "The Park." He put his head down and said he wrote that book. One very hot day we took a bike ride to the lighthouse. Guess who was pulling garlic mustand--Norm. He is frequently gone working at the Nature Center. Norm is a great friend to the Park and truly a part of the Park's legacy starting there as a young boy. Nominated by Marilyn and Butch Kaye, first camped at Peninsula in 1977.
Sheriff Bridenhagen Sheriff Baldy Bridenhagen helped keep law and order the norm at Peninsula during the turbulent 1960s and early 1970s. It's been said he wasn't a tall man, and never carried a sidearm. Nevertheless, he cut an imposing figure. Nominated by Gene Tiser, Peninsula Assistant Superintendent.
Bruce Chevis Bruce was the Assistant Superintendent from 1974-78. In 1978, I was hired to process campsite reservations. Bruce would call off names from the transfer and waiting list as he stood on "Mount Chevizke," the little rise just outside the park office. There might be 75 people on the transfer list and another hundred on the waiting list, all crowded around him. At 6'7", Bruce towered above them. What a great leader! By the way, Bruce and his boss, Peninsula Superintendent Gary Patzke, combined their names to create "Mount Chevizke." Nominated by Jane Barnowsky, Peninsula Visitor Services Coordinator.
Civilian Conservation Corps The CCC did so much work in the Park to get it started. With the buildings, paths, rock walls, trails, etc. still in use today. It took teamwork and skill. Nominated by David Candlish. At Peninsula, the CCC planted trees, built the stone wall near Eagle Tower, constructed Eagle Panorama and so much more. The CCC camp was located behind present day Gibraltar School.
My Dad Chuck He takes me camping every year.Nominated by Heather from New Berlin.
Dan the Butterfly Man Nearly every summeer Dan Frey brings a terrarium full of monarch caterpillars to the Nature Center. People have the chance to see metamorphosis up close - and it's amazing. Thanks, Dan, for being a true friend of PSP. Nominated by Nick Meiers, Assistant Naturalist.
A.E. Doolittle Peninsula State Park's first superintendent. Nominated by Norm Aulabaugh.
Dorothy Halverson Dorothy was married to Peninsula Superintendent Ralf Halverson. The first spring I arrived as Peninsula's full-time naturalist, Dorothy and I drove through the park. She shared memories of the people and places here, giving me such wonderful insight. I will always be grateful that she took the time to acquaint me with this wonderful place. Nominated by Kathleen Harris, Peninsula Naturalist.

Charlie Dickson and Don MaKuen Thanks for all the terrific family campfires. You're pretty good for "a couple of old guys!"
Ben Laurent Ben is my brother. He did a great deal of educating people about garlic mustard. Nominated by Brianna Laurent. Ben worked as an invasive species intern at Peninsula
John Maring John served as the President of Peninsula Golf Associates for many years, and continues to serve as its Treasurer to this day. John's wonderful way with people, his kindness, his patience and his remarkable resourcefulness led Peninsula golf course's "Friends Group" into a truly productive relationship with the State of Wisconsin, making the state park's only Golf Course the excellent resource that it is today. Nominated by Tom Blackwood, Peninsula Superintendent (1986 to present).
Bob Newberry As a child, I remember Bob Newberry. He worked as Peninsula State Park Staqff many years ago, from the late 1930s through the 1940s. He was the staffperson best known to campers. He welcomed many visitors by name, remembering them from previous visits. He was very responsible for the care of the park grounds and was available to answer questions and concerns. One childhood delight was an evening bonfire, set up by Bob, and held neat the Nicolet bathhouse. The campfire was lit as darkness descended, and campers gathered for songs and skits. Nominated by Jan Wolowicz.
Gary Patzke Gary Patzke, Park Superintendent, 1974-1984. When I arrived at Peninsula in 1980 as a Park Manager Trainee, Gary took me under his wing and taught me the many skills of managing a state park as busy as Peninsula. He taught me the "ins and outs" of making the 'snails pace' state government work for the betterment of park visitors. Little did I know that my six month training assignment would turn into a life-long career. Nominated by Tom Blackwood, Peninsula Superintendent (1986 to present).
All Rangers Died in Service I'm not related but they deserve honor. Nominated by Kia, first camped in Peninsula in 1997 at 10 weeks old.
Tennison Bob Because he’s so nice to people. He keeps the park clean and he always helps people out. Nominated by Owen.
Hubert Woerfel (March1876-October 1967) He worked in Peninsula Park for about 10 years. His jobs included building the first Eagle Tower. I remember his walking there to work on the tower in winter. He also worked on the first totem-pole, making it round and drilling a 3-inch hole in the center the length of the pole, as quoted in another article by Harry Doolittle, so pole would dry out the middle of the pole. He also built gazebos on 3 of the tees on the golf course, and the gazebo near the beach at Camp Meenagha. Nominated by son, Richard Woerfel
Hattie Yule For nearly I decade, I came across vague references to a "naturalist" who summered in Peninsula State Park. It took me several years to identify this personage - Hattie Yule. Mrs. Yule outdoor teaching skills were locally reknowned during Peninsula's first half-century, yet, she is barely mentioned in today's environmental circles. Hattie Yule was a powerful voice for the environment during Peninsula's early years. Nominated by Kathleen Harris.
Professor Paul Yambert

A great teacher and leader. Peninsula Park was one of my greatest learning experiences in the summer of 1957 as a member of the UW Stevens Point Natural Resources Camp. With ornithologist Wilson of Fish Creek, we banded over 900 gulls and 20 comorants ... We sawed firewood for the campers [and] also worked in the sawmill. Of all my learning experiences, he was among the best teachers, although I had many fine mentors. he died very young. Nominated by Edward C. Mueller. Mueller, along with other college students camped in park's winter warming house, now the Nature Center.