Four Heroes in the Tragic Death of Mark Slovich

I don't have the whole story on the accidental hiking death of Mark Slovich, but this is what I heard: two friends were hiking with Mark Slovich in Utah a couple weeks ago when Mark fell and severely injured himself. Mark was an experienced hiker and outdoorsman, but anyone who has been in the wilderness knows things can happen. One of Mark's companions, Jeremy Rust, stayed with Mark, giving him first aid and comfort. The other fellow, Landon Decker, ran for help--some twenty miles!

Unfortunately, Mark Slovich died when help could not get there in time.

Mark's funeral would be held in his hometown of Holland, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Some of Mark's companions in the US Forest Service, in AmeriCorps, and in the Montana Conservation Corps wanted to attend the funeral but didn't have time to drive or funds to fly. This is when Aaron Klug and Erika Klug, a couple who worked at Spotted Bear in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, stepped up and gave money to Jeremy Rust and Landon Decker, allowing them to attend the funeral.

I sure hope that Mark's other friends will step forward and try to reimburse the Klug's for their generous act. I for one will send them a check. Here is where donations can be sent:


 Aaron or Erika Klug
 c/o Spotted Bear Ranger District
 PO Box 190340
 Hungry Horse, MT 59919

There were heroes amid this tragedy; I hope these acts of heroism bring comfort to the grieving Slovich family.

Lake Koocanusa--Carolan's Home for the Week

My daughter Carolan and some of her colleagues in the Montana Conservation Corps are working in campgrounds along the banks of Lake Koocanusa this week (see the image below). This lake/reservoir straddles the US-Canadian border and is very close to the Montana-Idaho border. The name of the lake comes form KOOtenai +CANada+USA. Pretty clever!

I'm sure Carolan and her friends are thinking about their former colleague Mark Slovich, who died a week ago in a hiking accident in Utah. Mark's funeral mass is tomorrow at St. Bede the Venerable Church in Holland, PA, just outside of Philadelphia. We light a candle for Mark and his family.

Top image is Lake Koocanusa; bottom image is Libby Dam, with Lake Koocanusa (from Wikipedia).

An Accident Takes the Life of Carolan's Friend Mark Slovich

Carolan received word of the the death of her friend Mark Andrew Slovich, a young fellow who worked with her 2 years ago in the Montana Conservation Corps. Mark died a couple days ago in a fall in Utah. After he fell, one friend, Jeremy I believe, stayed with him giving him first aid while another friend ran 20 miles to get help for Mark--but, alas, to no avail.

Mark was from Holland, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, and was a genuine mountain guy--beloved by his fellow mountain and wilderness workers in the US Forest Service and the Conservation Corps.

This was a terrible blow for Carolan and all Mark's former colleagues. They become a tight family in their work in the wilderness--it's like losing your brother.

Our prayers are with Mark, his family, and his many friends and co-workers.

Here is an obituary:

Mark Andrew Slovich of Holland, PA died suddenly in a hiking accident on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in Utah. He was 22.

Born in Langhorne, PA, he was the beloved son of Richard M. and Marie T. Scanlin Slovich.

Mark was a resident of Holland for 20 years. He graduated from Council Rock South High School, Class of 2008. An avid outdoorsman, Mark joyfully hiked the Appalachian Trail. He joined the Conservation Corps, a division of AmeriCorps, and served for two years in Minnesota and Montana. Presently he was employed as a forest technician with the U.S. Forestry Service. He was an experienced hiker who sought out beautiful and serene spaces to play musical prayer from his Indian flute. He will be sadly missed as a loving son, brother, grandson and friend to all who knew him.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Michael J. Slovich and his wife, Jessica, of Mohnton, PA, his two sisters, Katharine G. Slovich of Philadelphia, PA, Anna E. Slovich of Holland, PA, and his cherished girlfriend Emily Hayes of Duluth, MN. He was the maternal grandson of Helen Scanlin of Buckingham and John J. Scanlin of Tioga County, PA and paternal grandson of Rose R. Slovich of Erie, PA and the late Frank Slovich. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, April 26, 2012, from 10:00 AM until his Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Road, Holland, PA 18966. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Churchville Nature Center, Churchville, PA.