What Do Obituaries and Rafting Through Grand Canyon Have in Common?
by Sharon Hester
What a Surprise
In the course of my job as Social Media Coordinator here at AzRA (ARIZONA RAFT ADVENTURES), it was a surprise to discover that the most common internet posts or news articles featuring the words “Grand Canyon Rafting” were obituaries! With an average of about four to five obituaries per month mentioning that phrase! Discovering this unexpected digital result led me to deeper contemplation. What does the intersection of mortality and the adventurous spirit embodied by Grand Canyon rafting have to do with death?
The Grand Canyon Experience
Grand Canyon is a world-renowned destination for rafting enthusiasts and those new to rafting as well. Its breathtaking landscapes, the challenges of navigating the Colorado River, the camaraderie of becoming part of a team of fellow rafters, and the transformative impact of the journey itself can be life changing. For many, a journey through the bottom of Grand Canyon becomes a defining experience in their lives.
Lt. Colonel Joe Hester jumping from a rock ledge into the Colorado River on a Grand Canyon rafting trip 1989
Google Alerts and Obituaries: How did this discovery come about?
For about 15 years now, I have been monitoring Google Alerts to find the latest news and information on Grand Canyon rafting that might be useful to share with our followers. For those of you not familiar with Google Alerts, one can set an alert in Google to receive links via email to any news or web-based posts containing specific keywords. In this case, the keyword is “Grand Canyon Rafting.” When Google finds that combination of keywords, it shares the webpages that contain those words. Below are just a few excerpts, from the many obituaries Google shared with us, that chose to highlight the deceased’s Grand Canyon rafting adventure as a significant part of their life:
- James M. Fitts Jr. (Jim), age 86, was born on March 7, 1938. He was a man of many interests including travel, antiques, woodworking, reading, and all things about western history. He always said his favorite trip that he ever took was a weeklong rafting trip down the Grand Canyon with his children.
- Lt Colonel Joe C. Hester Gone flying on April 20, 2019, at the age of 86. Joe was born November 23,1932 in Round Rock, TX and raised there…. A fun-loving soul with a great sense of humor, he was always up for adventure. He did 15 Grand Canyon rafting expeditions, 13 as an assistant, with his rafting guide daughter…
- Myrna Joy Strong, April 16, 1938 – Jan. 21, 2024, Los Alamos, NM. Her artistic spirit mirrored her adventurous spirit, with experiences like rafting the Grand Canyon.
- Dr. Susan Ewing Dorsch, born April 24, 1942, passed away on February 18th in Orange Park, FL. Her passion for nature and gardening led her to raft the Grand Canyon.
- Heather Jane Beaudoin Cameron, Tuesday, February 20th, 2024, Toronto, CA. At 65, she got her first tattoo—a testament to her free spirit, and to the antics she and her cousin and best friend, Rossie Baillie, would get into when they traveled! From whale watching in the Atlantic to rafting through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River.
- Fred B. Koeller, 1919–2014. He served in the Navy during WWII, attended UCLA, learned to fly airplanes, and loved to dance! Ski trips to Mammoth Mountain, pre-lift days, Grand Canyon whitewater rafting.
- Gordon Albert Istenes, 82, of Mock Road, New Hanover Twp., husband of the late Martha E. (Yost), passed away on February 8. He traveled extensively and loved to share his adventure of rafting the Colorado River and then hiking to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon via Bright Angel Trail.
- Dale Dorner passed away peacefully in her sleep a few days after her 83rd Birthday. Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, she was adventurous; white water rafting in the Grand Canyon.
- Alice Mae Scheibe, 85, of Sheboygan, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Later, as the kids left home, they enjoyed many cruises and adventures including rafting the Grand Canyon.
- Sheila Krekeler passed peacefully on September 25, 2018, at the age of 84. She was especially fond of the Grand Canyon, rafting it once and hiking it numerous times.
- Lori Beth Winike-Anderson passed away at home on June 19, 2024. Lori was born in Elmhurst, Il on May 27, 1964, and raised in Villa Park, Il. One of her favorite trips was a week-long rafting trip through the Grand Canyon.
Why Include Grand Canyon Rafting in Obituaries?
What could be the reasons for including this tidbit of information in the reflection of someone’s life?
- Could it be seen as a significant achievement or adventure worth highlighting in their life story?
- Or did this memorable moment shared with loved ones or friends make it a cherished memory that family members feel should be included in their obituary to reflect the deceased’s passions and joys in life?
- Did the deceased wish to be remembered for their adventurous spirit?
- Does mentioning the Grand Canyon rafting trip reflect values such as a love for nature, courage in facing challenges, or a desire to embrace life fully? Which they may have cherished and wanted to convey in their obituary?
- Or lastly, does including details about the Grand Canyon rafting trip leave behind a legacy or inspire others to embrace similar adventures, highlighting how the deceased lived life to the fullest?
- Or do these reasons collectively illustrate how a Grand Canyon rafting experience can hold deep personal and symbolic significance, making it a meaningful inclusion in someone’s obituary? What do you think?
The irony in this discovery lies in the contrast between the thrill of adventure and the solemnity of mortality, encapsulated in the digital notifications that Google Alerts brought to my attention. This intersection invites us to contemplate how we live our lives and the enduring legacies we leave behind. Reflecting on mortality through the lens of a Grand Canyon experience in obituaries provides a rich, multi-layered narrative that celebrates our loved one’s adventurous spirit, underscores the meaningful experiences that define a person’s life, and invites others to consider the profound ways in which they can embrace life and face death.
In closing, we would like to ask you: would you like your obituary to include your Grand Canyon rafting adventure? Did you include a Grand Canyon rafting trip in a loved one’s obituary, or would you consider including it? A few tips on writing obituaries!
10 Comments. Leave new
Sharon,
Very interesting article! I love the photo too! (I never had the guts to jump from that ledge, although I let many of my passengers do it.)
Thanks for your contributions.
Thanks Owen, glad you liked the post. That photo is o my dad he was quite the adventurer. I only jumped once and that was enough for me!
Reading history of humans includes many thoughts on living and dying . Religions often offer life after death . Often the next life is offered with following rules laws and total belief in past written mans thoughts. Severe penalties to disbelief after being taught or allowed to read these authors . The Grand Canyon experience opens up history of our earth past 2 billion years . Under the bottom rock layer is another 2 billion years of earths development. Every person that rafts for 1 week Grand Canyon sees the truth . No person ever is the same after this trip . Layers of history tell of past vast time . In a way the canyon is shaped like a giant book and it could be it was meant to be read by humans ( did God intend this ? ). No matter what a person wants to believe -this is pages of reality . First shock is how small a person is . Nature can swallow a persons body in a instant and leave absolutely no trace . The canyon speaks to everyone with harsh kindness . Now learning starts your life is part of nature and no more important than the smallest to largest living thing . Time living becomes more present . Everyone is going to die in much shorter period than canyon walls . Each morning and afternoon rafters see shadows from sun light climb the layers of rock on walls . At night stars roll across the dark sky . Escape from employers job phones money seeking is complete . For 7-13 days adventure rapids food and best friends for now . Hope for future after death is deepest human desire . It is possible there is another planet or earth to live again . Deep down we learned from Grand Canyon earth has taken 4 billion years to this time period . Does it take other planets same amount of time ? Body is cremated donated buried plasticated mummy rotted your life here is gone . Obituary Tells people to live life with passion kindness love and how you spent time accepting truth . Maybe a stronger person a calm fearless way to live their final days .
Thanks Walt for your thoughtful comments on this post. We agree a trip through the canyon is a meaningful life changing experience that causes folks to ponder a lot of about the world and their lives. Sharon
Shay-
This is a great insight into what is important in people’s lives. Well researched, and well expressed! Thank you for this. The Canyon changed my life in immeasurable ways
Thanks for replying, Dirk! Nice to hear from you. 🙂
Thanks Dirk, glad you liked it! Thanks for reading it. Shay
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
I agree, Dirk. What some people take for granted others value for a lifetime and beyond. Thank you to Sharon for reminding us how magical a river trip
can be and how it can impact a person’s life perspective.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Do you know what happened to Ray Interpreter, a Grand Canyon guide in the 1980’s for Wide World? I went down the river with him and just found out about his passing. He died on the Salt River about 1993 or so. Any information about what happened would be appreciated. I can’t find the info anywhere.
Hi Michael, Ray was a wonderful person and good guide. Sadly, he fell off his boat on a private trip on the Salt River late one night and drowned.