Sigfrid Stanley Palm

Sigfrid "Sig" Stanley Palm, 97, passed away February 16, 2012 at a local nursing home. He was born December 6, 1914 to George W. and Andrea Olsen Palm in Philadelphia, PA. Sig grew up on the Valhalla Ranch Dunkley, CO under the Flat Tops. His education was from the "School of Experience." He started out his natural resource management career in about 1938 working for the Routt National Forest as a per diem fire guard in California Park and Bears Ears area followed by a stint with the U.S. Biological Survey now U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service poisoning gophers. On April 19, 1941 he married Cecilie Anne Emma Omholt in Dueschene, Utah. She pre-deceased in 1992. He is survived by sons, Sig G. Judi of Pueblo and Stan Nancy of San Diego, CA; two granddaughters, Andrea Tom Johannesen of West Chester, PA, Diane Mike Borden of Fort Collins; and two step grand children, Brad Michelle Hubenthal and Laura Hubenthal of San Diego, CA; and 14 great grandchildren. Also Jim, a classmate of son Sig G's, Dee Ann and Christina Vink of Fort Collins were adopted by Sig and Cecilie 50 years ago. He came to work for the Colorado Game and Fish Department in 1941 as a trapper and working in game damage control over most of northwest Colorado. Six months later, the Department issued him a badge and a summons book – they said "you're now a Game Warden." In December of 1942, he was transferred to La Porte/Fort Collins where he worked until1985 for a total of 44 years of State Service. During this span he was promoted twice to "Wildlife Conservation Officer" and later to "District Wildlife Manager". He thoroughly enjoyed his career with the Agency as it changed over the years – from the Game and Fish Department to the Division of Wildlife. His job was interesting, challenging and his relationships with sportsmen and the Colorado Communities were generally outstanding. In later years and in addition to his regular duties he served as a mentor / trainer for the new officers and managers coming on board, and I think this was enjoyable for both he and the trainee. He received several honors and recognitions over the course of his career, including: A consistent pattern of Superior and Outstanding Performance Evaluations, Colorado Wildlife Officer of the Year in 1978, an Appreciation Plaque from the Poudre Canyon Friends – "Your Constant Dedication is an Inspiration", several Gubernatorial Citations, Honorary Lifetime Membership -- Northern Colorado Rod & Gun Club -- 1960 Other affiliations: Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association, Charter Member of the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch Development Committee 1958 to 1965. 25-years of service as a member, troop committee chairman, and merit badge counselor Fishing, Wildlife Management, Nature, and Soil & Water Conservation Merit Badges for the Long's Peak Council. He was instrumental in the establishment of the first public firing range that was located at the site of the present day Larimer County Landfill in southwest Fort Collins. A Memorial Service will be held at Evangelical Covenant Church, 4825 S. Lemay Ave. on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Sig Palm to the Colorado Wildlife Employees Protective Association CWEPA Scholarship Fund in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Ft. Collins, CO 80524.