Acting Yosemite Superintendent Dave Uberuaga announced today that Dick Ewart is the recipient of the 2009 Barry Hance Memorial Award. Ewart, a Yosemite National Park Ranger, received the award at an all employee meeting today attended by approximately 300 people, including several past Barry Hance Award recipients.
The award is named in honor of Barry Hance, a long-term facilities management employee who died in an avalanche while plowing the Tioga Road in 1995. This award is given annually to employees who exemplify the qualities and attributes of Barry Hance. These include a positive attitude, a concern for fellow employees, getting the job done, and a love for Yosemite National Park.
“Barry was always happy and willing to help people out and being a part of his legacy is an honor,” said Ewart who was a close friend of Barry Hance.
Ewart, originally from Seekonk, Massachusetts, has worked in Yosemite as a Park Ranger for 33 years. Throughout his career he has worked in Tuolumne Meadows, Glacier Point and Badger Pass in the winter. He exemplifies the spirit of a Park Ranger. He provides interpretive nature walks, works in law enforcement, assists the maintenance division, and patrols the backcountry in both summer and winter.
“Today was an emotional experience for me. I was very honored to be able to present this very special award to Dick Ewart,” said Uberuaga.