DeLyle Pankratz, 69, of Eveleth is a guy with something to say. He's a member of multiple snowmobile clubs, spent the better part of his career negotiating land access for trails and wants nothing more than to spend time with friends and family outdoors — particularly when snowmobiling.
On Sept. 26, however, he was left speechless.
He was inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in Eagle River, Wis., where his name was added to a list of 101 other men and women who have contributed to the development and growth of the sport.
"I've been involved in snowmobiling for 45 years, and I've never received an award of this magnitude," he said. "It was overwhelming." So much so that he had a hard time making an acceptance speech. He received the award in front of snowmobile leaders, his wife, Merlys, his three daughters, and other family members.
Pankratz grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, where he learned to appreciate the outdoors in a working environment, as well as on fall hunting expeditions with his father. He graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a master's degree in geography. His thesis: Outdoor recreational opportunities in the Minnesota River region between St. Peter and New Ulm.
In September, Pankratz was recognized specifically for his hand in snowmobile trail development in the Iron Range. Pankratz said he had a hand in creating about 2,000 miles of snowmobile trail — both as a citizen volunteer and, until he retired in 2006, as the director of trails for the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRB).
On winter recreation as an economic stimulator
In 1984, IRRRB decided to establish a trails program as a part of its economic development efforts, and they sought me out. I took the job because I wanted to help diversify the economy of northeastern Minnesota. That was something I'd worked toward since I'd moved here in 1970. … I was hired to develop, institute and manage a winter recreational trails program with an emphasis on snowmobiling. Once on the job, I did research, design and instituted and managed the trails program for 20 years … It's become one of the cornerstones of the tourism industry in this area.
On trail development
I worked on all aspects of recreational trail development and promotion thereof, which included everything from planning to maintenance to advertising the amenities of the area. This was done as a team effort to support the local trail groups and units of government in their efforts to develop trails to help diversify the economy of northeastern Minnesota and, to a limited extent, statewide. For me, the more challenging the project the better — even if it meant a few sleepless nights. … Part of our service to the area involved our trail grooming program that provided grooming services to the local clubs and organizations. At one point we had eight grooming stations located from Nashwauk to Lutsen-Tofte. I was the only agency management person to supervise the grooming activities provided at each station. Of all the trails we provided grooming services, the Tomahawk Trail was probably the most challenging. It was somewhat remote, lacked for a highly developed road network for access purposes and a well-developed communication network left a lot to be desired. The topography varied from somewhat rugged high ground to swamps.
On favorite trails
I really don't have a favorite trail. I can honestly say that. The Taconite is a good trail, as is the Arrowhead. We like riding near our cabin in the Crane Lake area and the Chain of Lakes from Crane Lake to Kabetogama. Locally, the 52-mile Laurentian Trail is excellent, and that's the first trail I helped develop in 1974.
On falling hard for the sport
My ex-brother-in-law bought a new 1967 Evinrude Skeeter, and he brought it home to Mountain Lake at Christmastime. I got on that sled, rode it around the lake and I said, "Once I get out of college, I'm buying one." We moved up to northeastern Minnesota in 1970, partly because of the outstanding outdoor recreational activities.
On family lessons
Everything we did was so snowmobile-oriented throughout the years, and snowmobiling involves a lot of volunteering. Even today, all three of our daughters are very involved with volunteering for various sports and outdoor activities, and I attribute that to snowmobiling.
On "retirement"
I am part of a working group that has been charged with the responsibility of developing plans for the consolidation and management of a multiple-use trail combining two existing motorized and nonmotorized trails in the Virginia area. These efforts are part of a required larger effort of the relocation of Hwy. 53. The new trail will utilize a shared corridor and will be an integral part of and immediately adjacent to a new, free standing four-lane motor vehicle bridge 1,150 feet in length.
Lynn Keillor is a Twin Cities-based editor and writer.
