Einwalter, Dean Clark (March 28, 1940 - December 10, 2021)

Dean Clark Einwalter, former superintendent of Grand Portage National Monument (1987-98) and a tireless advocate for the preservation of public lands, died on December 10, 2021.

Dean grew up in Waterloo, Iowa, where he became an avid outdoorsman. Duck hunting in the local wetlands and a job as a fishing guide in northern Minnesota inspired him to complete a BA in Biology in 1967 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

After graduating, Dean accepted a coveted job with the National Park Service, where he enjoyed many novel and challenging assignments during his 30-year career. His wife traveled with him to each new assignment, and his daughters enjoyed growing up in some of America's most scenic places.

Notable projects included creating the "Envirovan," a mobile nature center that visited urban school children in Washington, D.C.; supervising conversion of the historic Glen Haven, MI, coast guard station into Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore's first visitor center; and coordinating an innovative public-private partnership with Anheuser Busch to clean up the rivers in Missouri's Ozarks Scenic Riverways.

Retirement allowed Dean to launch Fox Lair Woodworking, where he turned hardwoods and recycled barnwood into finely crafted furniture, and Fox Lair Farms, where he raised organic vegetables, raspberries, and heirloom apple varieties. Dean sold his produce locally in Grand Marais, MN, where he loved chatting with friends and visitors at the co-op and farmers market.

Throughout his life, Dean had a keen eye for the beauty in nature's details that he encountered wherever he had the good fortune to live. He passed this awareness along to others through his interpretive work, writing, craftsmanship, and relationships that are his legacy.

Dean is survived by his wife Carol, of Grand Marais, MN, and daughters Dawn Einwalter, of St. Paul, MN, and Julie (Tony) Sullins of Askov, MN, as well as 4 grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Gerald (Kieran) of Ft. Dodge, IA, and Dale (Chris) of Langley, WA, a sister, Lois (Jack) Bradford of Peninsula, OH, and many nieces and nephews.

Published on April 3, 2022