Here's the DENVER POST memorial page.
Comments posted at that site have since been removed, but are preserved in a PDF file here.

1927 - 2003
Papa-Bear, as head of the intertribal Bear Clan, was a spiritual leader to over 3,000 American Indians and through the 'making-of-relatives' ceremony was the grandfather, father and brother to over 150 people in the 'non-indian' Bear Clan.
Many more people around the world knew Papa-Bear as either a Colorado Division of Wildlife Hunter Education instructor, or through his school, the Wilderness Institute of Survival Education ( W.I.S.E. ).
Papa-Bear helped to pass the law requiring hunter education classes in Colorado, and taught over 18,000 students since then. As a cold-weather travel safety and survival instructor, thousands more have learned safe highway and backcountry travel practices. As an active researcher in backcountry search and rescue techniques since the 1950's he helped develop many procedures that are now standard practice in search and rescue.
Papa-Bear passed away at 11:30a.m. Mountain Time at his home near Denver, Colorado.
Instead of flowers Papa-Bear would appreciate donations to:
or volunteer :
Other sites that noted his passing include:
* Colorado Division of Wildlife Press Release.
* OutDoor Central / OutDoor News Network
Condolences to all the family from two in Louisiana who admired and loved Papa Bear.
Posted by: JD | 22 October 2003 at 21:57
We will miss you Papa Bear. You were one of a kind. Melanie and JD
Posted by: Melanie Hallsten | 13 November 2003 at 11:31
I met Papabear in 1962 when I was a student at Colorado School of Trades. In those days, Papabear was known "Bob" and was married to Barbra. I became very close to them and was proud to be able to call them my friends. They were really my second set of parents, we hung out together, went hunting, hiking, picnicking in the mountains. I learned a lot about life and being myself from Papabear. I will miss him a great deal but will be forever thankful for having known him and being able to call him my friend for all these years. Papabear --- You will be missed greatly. You left your mark on this world and it was good, Thank you.
Your friend,
Karl Zimpel
Posted by: Karl Zimpel | 21 December 2003 at 09:31
When I was 16 I went to a class held at the Longmont National Guard Armoury....I was soon to be awed and inspired in wilderness survival...I packed a kit and did a report on it in my Junior high class. I graduated and also joined the Marines. Years later I again crossed paths with Pappa Bear at a weekend class held at Lockheed Martin and talked several work mates into attending. Over the years I had studied primitive survival and had brought several items to show him including a sinew backed bow and arrow, Atlatl and dart, and several knapped blades. As a thank you I handed him an obsidian blade I had made for him and he sat there brethless.....I thanked him for inspiring me to study and attain a level of proficiency that I am confident enough in my primitive skills to not only survive, but thrive in the wilderness. He told me I couldnt have given that blade to anyone else who could appreciate it more. Even though I have proficient skills in primitive survival, I still carry a survival kit containing several items he gave me whenever I leave the pavement.
I cant say we were close, or that we shared much time together, but he made such an imprint in my life...that to learn of his death brings a tear to my eye. I will spend the rest of my life teaching the skills I have learned in his memory.
Thank you Pappa Bear!
You will be deeply missed.
Michael Tomlinson
Posted by: Michael Tomlinson | 12 January 2004 at 23:50
Papa Bear was a wonderful man. A man of compassion, humanity. He was a great teacher. I am sure he is missed by many, including myself. I could tell the first time I looked into his eyes that he was not a ordinary person. There was greatness behind those eyes.
Posted by: ghost | 08 December 2006 at 15:01