After nearly four years since a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma, Gus’ battle is over. With family holding him their hearts and arms he passed on February 19, 2024.
Gus was born in Cody, Wyoming March 1, 1939 to Allen and Mary Leigh McCutchen. His younger sister, Anne, joined the family two years later. Gus thrived on the U S Forest Service life that meant moving every few years. After living in small towns in Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado, his family made Albuquerque, New Mexico home for 12 years. Although Gus loved the Northwest, his heart and soul truly lived in the Southwest. He loved the mountains, the seasons, the food, and lifelong friends.
At Colorado State University, Gus majored in Forestry and Range Management, was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, and participated in Army ROTC. After graduation he fulfilled his Army commitment, serving as an intelligence officer in LaRochelle, France.
Gus’ Forest Service career included positions in Arizona and New Mexico. After being on staff at several other Ranger Stations, he was posted at the Beaver Creek District near Sedona, Arizona where he met the love of his life, Judy Loken, a local teacher. They were married in Sedona, March 31, 1968. The next year Gus was selected to take a Ranger position on the Gila Wilderness District of the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. It was a wonderful opportunity, and also a challenge their daughter, Susan, born in Cottonwood, was just 10 days old when they moved to their home near the Gila Cliff Dwellings, a 45-mile drive from Silver City on a very steep and winding road.
Gus felt honored to be the Ranger of the Gila Wilderness District because it was there that Aldo Leopold declared the first true Wilderness in the United States a place set aside from the ordinary in that no machines or motorized vehicles are allowed. Forever it is to remain wild. For three years Gus used his skills and savvy in many different ways. Land management and fire control were among his responsibilities. He was recognized as a forerunner in using controlled burns.
In 1971, Gus was promoted to the Luna Ranger District. He interacted with the local ranchers and had many interesting projects such as engaging with a scientist from the University of Arizona who was extracting deep core samples from a bog. Gus, a creative and handy man built a piñon sorter to make harvesting the nuts easier. Their son Doug was born in 1974 in Springerville, Arizona.
In late 1989, Gus chose to take an assignment as Range and Wildlife specialist on the Wenatchee National Forest. The whole family benefitted - good schools, a return to teaching for Judy, and perhaps best of all: lots of music for Gus. He, a mandolin and guitar player, joined The Wenatchee River Band and often jammed for the joy of it. He and the band also performed for many different events. In 1990 Gus returned to Albuquerque and spent his last few years before retirement as Range Staff Officer in the Forest Service’s Southwest Regional Office in Albuquerque.
In 2000, Gus and Judy moved to Port Townsend where Gus found many outlets for his love of music. He joined the Old Time Fiddlers, sang in the choir, and sat on the music committee at Quimper UU Fellowship. Gus contributed many hours volunteering at the Marine Science Center at Fort Worden.
He leaves behind Judy, his wife of 55 years, daughter Susan and JP Bowdoin, grandson Connor Bowdoin and granddaughter Katie Bowdoin, son Doug and Kari Koski, and two springer spaniels who are an important part of the family as well.
Our family offers special thanks to Hospice and Home Instead for excellent care, comfort and support. A family memorial will be planned for later in the spring.
