by Marty Silverman | Nov 19, 2025 | In Memoriam
John Cleary, a 30-year volunteer patroller at Hidden Valley Ski Patrol, Western Appalachian Region, passed away on October 25, 2025 at the age of 74.
“John was kind, soft-spoken, funny, genuine, warm, and so much more,” said Hidden Valley Ski Patrol Director, Lisa Buss. “John was one of the kindest people I have ever known. Not only was he an excellent ski patroller, but he also went out of his way to have a chat and ask fellow patrollers about their life outside of patrolling…how is the family, how is work, any trips coming up?
Following his retirement from Hidden Valley Ski Patrol, John and his wife, Kathy, continued to be homeowners at Hidden Valley, and were often seen in the chairlift lines or on the slopes, and made frequent visits to the patrol room to say hello.
John was a graduate of Kent State University in the field of architecture. He was a survivor of the Kent State Shootings on May 4, 1970, when National Guard troops suddenly opened fire on anti-Vietnam War protesters. Four students were killed and nine, including John, were wounded.
He was the injured student shown in the iconic Life Magazine cover photo about the Kent State University shootings.
In 2010, John told an interviewer for the oral history project for the Kent State University Libraries that he did not join the demonstrators but rather came to take pictures with a borrowed camera.
“Everyone was talking about how there was going to be a noon rally and that sort of thing,” he said. “And so, I went over to just see what was going on and observe the protesters.”
“As the National Guard got near the top of the hill, I wanted to get one last picture of them before they went over the crest of the hill, so I was getting ready to take another shot and suddenly, they just turned and fired. It was like this volley of gunshots. And then I got hit in the chest.”
John went home after his hospital stay but returned to Kent State to continue his studies the following year. At the one-year commemoration of the shooting, a mutual friend introduced him to Kathy Bashaw, who would become his wife. Ten years later, on May 4, 1981 their first child, Andrew, was born.
“He and my mother had one of the greatest love stories,” his daughter Elizabeth Dove said. “They were married for 51 years. They were crazy about each other.”
John initially shunned the attention that would follow him. Many of us who patrolled with him never knew of his connection to the Kent State shootings until his picture on the cover of Life Magazine appeared in local papers on the 50th anniversary of the shootings. But John eventually returned to campus to join the annual commemorations of May 4.
In 2025, during the 55th annual May 4 Commemoration, he was honored with the privilege of ringing the university’s Victory Bell, a moment he described as deeply meaningful.
“John was a testament to the power of reconciliation” said Kent State President Todd Diacon. He had every reason and right to lead with anger and bitterness for the rest of his life, yet the John we came to know was kind, sensitive and an inspiration. We are all better for knowing him and will be guided by his strength within the legacy of May 4, 1970.”
This experience shaped his lifelong commitment to perseverance, family, reflection, and peace. He lived a life filled with creativity, kindness, and devotion to those he loved. A talented architect, he spent his career helping to design spaces that blended beauty and purpose, leaving a lasting mark on his community through his work and generosity of spirit.
“He was just the most resilient man that I know,” said his daughter, Elizabeth. “He just kept moving forward, no matter what life threw at him. That’s what I remember most about him, his ability to persevere throughout hardship.”
by Marty Silverman | Oct 23, 2025 | In Memoriam
Chris Lindberg, of the Hidden Valley Ski Patrol, Western Appalachian Region, passed away at the age of 74, on October 13, 2025. He joined the Ski Patrol in 1996. Chris was always smiling and willing to lend a hand with anything he could. He was a long-time OEC instructor and served as a member of the Hidden Valley Ski Patrol Board of Directors. Chris was a full-time homeowner at Hidden Valley and was active in both the HOA and the Jefferson Township community.
Chris was a Major in the United States Air Force, Retired. As Chris would put it, he served in the Air Force for twenty-two years, three months, and eighteen days. His military career took him to many parts of the country and the world, including the University of Nebraska, where he graduated with his master’s in physician assistant studies and obtained his medical license. He specialized in Medical Oncology and Hematology but spent time practicing in related healthcare fields during his military
service.
Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Chris spent the next twenty-five years working as an oncology Physician’s Assistant at the Hillman Cancer Center, dedicating himself to the care and treatment of his patients. Chris spent the last decade of his life in Somerset, PA, where he enjoyed working as a volunteer ski patroller, reading with his grandkids, and relaxing with his cats. He spoke frequently of his family and the joy of being a dad and grandfather.
A friend and colleague said, “Chris was an outstanding physician’s assistant in oncology and provided expert care and comfort to thousands of patients during their most difficult challenges. He had a peaceful, calm bedside manner that was ideal for his patients.”
Chris was a dedicated member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland in Pittsburgh. He would drive an hour and a half each way, every Sunday to attend church services. He volunteered frequently at the church and provided leadership as well.
He is survived by his three daughters, Shelly, Gwen, and Haley, and his two granddaughters, Skylar and Selah. Chris is also survived by his sisters Lisa, Nora, Kari, and Sara, and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Somerset Area Ambulance Association, where Chris spent the last two years serving on the Board of Directors. The address is Somerset Area Ambulance Association, 115 Wood Duck Rd., Somerset, PA 15501.
by Marty Silverman | Jun 5, 2025 | Spotlight Articles
Laurel Summit Nordic Ski Patrol celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Saturday, April 26, with a gathering at its warming hut at Laurel Mountain in Western Pennsylvania. As the first Nordic ski patrol in the Western Appalachian Region, it had a lot to celebrate. A nice crowd of current and former patrollers, mountain hosts, and winter volunteers swapped stories and shared memories.
Ann Rahn was one of the patrol’s early members and key in keeping it going. Now retired from patrolling, Ann tells this story of the patrol’s history.
Ann started, “The two patrollers who started our patrol were Laurel Mountain alpine patrollers – David Schaeffer and Bob Murray. David and I were Nordic patrollers at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY. We brought back the first rescue sled designed for tracked trails.
“There is a plaque on the wall of the warming hut that recognizes Bob Ache, the Pennsylvania State Park forester, when our patrol came into existence. The patrol got a grant from the Mellon Foundation to build a patrol hut. We wanted to put it just down the road from the entrance to the alpine ski area. Bob totally supported this location and built a warming hut for the public right next door on forestry land. He didn’t ask for a dime to put a building up. He provided us with bathroom facilities, although it was a pretty primitive port-o-john with a flush pump and a light bulb to keep it warm.
“Our patrol always had a wonderful relationship with the forester. He built the warming hut we enjoy today to the patrol’s specifications. They obviously gave us a lot better bathroom, and they also pay the electricity and telephone bills. Our current forester has been instrumental in creating the brochure that we use to publicize not just our Nordic ski area but Laurel Highlands and Laurel Ridge Nordic areas nearby.
“This is one of the few patrols I know of anywhere with more instructors than patrollers. If you don’t teach CPR or OEC, you teach mountaineering, avalanche, or Nordic skills. This is how it’s always been, and that was the guidance from the original patrol directors.
“They felt very strongly that it was OK to be a patroller for the first couple of years, but after that, you needed to do more to give back. If you didn’t want to aspire to be a senior, you needed to work towards being an instructor of some discipline. Back in the beginning, when we used to share our CPR and first aid training with Laurel Mountain alpine patrollers every year, the Nordic patrol would bring the instructors, and the alpine patrol would provide the facilities and the equipment.
“Not too many years ago, this patrol had a major downsizing to only three patrollers. The Winter Volunteers Program was started so the patrollers could get out on the trails while still having the warming hut staffed.
“When we needed to update our first aid equipment, former patrol director Andy Scott got a significant grant from Somerset and Westmoreland tourism bureaus, which allowed us to buy the AED and new backboards. And because many of our patrollers have contacts with hospitals, ambulances, and rescue crews, we can keep our equipment top-notch and up-to-date.
“We initiated pre-OEC Refreshers to help our patrollers be better prepared for the annual OEC refreshers and be less apprehensive about demonstrating their skills. Our Mountain Hosts are an integral part of our safety program. We may have been the first Nordic patrol to initiate this program and to utilize them as on-the-trail first responders.”
Ann could not ski this past winter due to recent shoulder surgery, but she plans to be back on the trails next season.
by Marty Silverman | Nov 10, 2023 | National News, Spotlight Articles
Stephanie Cox, Executive Director, National Ski PatrolStephanie Cox was hired as the Executive Director of the NSP just over a year ago, in October 2022. She is the third Executive Director of the NSP in the last few years. Trail Sweep asked Stephanie if she would agree to be interviewed to discuss the challenges of the job and her plans for the future. We asked her about what skills she brought to the job, how she felt about the turnover of her predecessors, her plans for the growth of sponsorships and fundraising, and her plans to help resolve issues with the NSP website.
We appreciate Stephanie’s willingness to respond and her openness in her comments. Here is the interview:
What experiences and skills do you bring to the NSP as Executive Director?
My prior leadership roles, where I had to manage large, diverse teams, make critical decisions, and motivate others – especially in difficult, changing, and complex environments — likely prepared me for this role. Having spent a lot of time in high-pressure, changing situations, I honed my problem-solving skills to handle challenges effectively and developed a lot of grit, courage, and adaptability. I think that those are important traits when dealing with industry and organizational change.
Effective communication is crucial for any leader. My very first career was as a journalist, and I learned to be observant, listen, and be curious. I hope my ability to communicate with staff, volunteers, stakeholders, and the public will help bring the community together even more. Being a leader in the humanitarian aid world taught me to be resilient, compassionate, analyze risks, and be adaptable as I spent most of my time overseas in war zones and unstable environments. When I pivoted to the start-up world and became an entrepreneur, I learned to lean into my vision and became more decisive. Venture capitalists are a tough crowd and a boys’ club, albeit that is changing fast – so I learned quickly to develop and trust my confidence. All of this has helped shape my leadership style, which I like to think of as “intentional.” But this is also a role where a deep passion for skiing is a key motivator. My true love for the sport – and people in the industry, especially my team – provides great fuel for the long days.
There has been a lot of turnover in the NSP Executive Director position in the last few years. How do you feel you can improve the rapport between the Executive Director and the NSP Board of Directors?
When I assumed the role of Executive Director in October for the National Ski Patrol, I did so with equal parts excitement and caution as I knew that there was much work to do to help the organization continue to recover from a tumultuous few years. Leadership turnover, COVID, societal shifts, and a changing landscape in the industry introduced uncertainty and delivered shocks to the organization. And while our member numbers remained steady, our progress slowed. Developing a positive, productive, and trusting relationship with the board was a key priority in order to get anything meaningful accomplished. I am pleased to say that I am thrilled to be working collaboratively with the Board of Directors on faster decision-making, governance, and accountability. We have an open line of communication. I respect every member of the board and enjoy working with them and guiding them towards a true governance role.
I encourage the Eastern Division members to go to the NSP website to read my Annual Member letter, see the 3-year plan (knowing we will soon be working on YR 2!), and read the latest BOD reports. All can be found in the document library or on the Leadership Structure page.
I very much look forward to visiting the Eastern Division this season and getting to know our fantastic members.
The NSP has lost several key sponsors in the last year. What are your plans to grow new sponsor relationships going forward?
I welcome this opportunity to clarify that the only sponsor that recently moved on from NSP is Subaru of America after 25 years of wonderful support. Like all relationships, the one between NSP and Subaru evolved over time, and we found ourselves at the end of our journey together. The world has changed since our partnership began in 1995, and the automotive industry, like the ski industry, faces many new challenges and opportunities. While NSP and Subaru have had many great adventures together, the time is right to look forward to new destinations and travel partners, even as we continue to stay connected with old friends. Subaru will continue to offer VIP pricing to NSP members until further notice, and we continue to support the Subaru brand. In the meantime, the partnership team and I are cultivating relationships across different industries with many new brands and are excited about what the future holds in this arena for NSP. Stay tuned!
Along the same lines, NSP dues increased significantly last year and could increase again this year. What are your plans to improve fundraising and donations?
Diversifying income in any organization or business is very important to keep up with the overall changing industry and economic conditions, such as inflation, to ensure financial resilience and viability. Fundraising represents one income stream for NSP. In order to fundraise properly and sustainably, the organization has to be in a strong position with its brand, identity, direction, and plans. Fundraising was not a priority in my first year as we had much housekeeping and administrative clean-up to do, along with recovering our brand from years of public turmoil. In fact, I asked the board to suspend the fundraising committee for a year until I felt we were in a position to go out to our membership and the public to ask them for their support. If we are to fundraise, then we must do it right.
Our membership is watching, and I want to show them results from the first and second years and then ask for their support. That means having a strategy, having good systems to back up the strategy, having human resources to direct it, and most importantly, follow-up and stewardship. By demonstrating accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in utilizing funds, we’ll be in a stronger position to ask for support from members and the public. We do currently offer online donations, and we absolutely want our members to especially consider NSP in planned giving. It’s all available right now on the new website. In fact, we are currently fundraising for Powderfall scholarships.
Visit the Donate Page
Donate to the Powderfall Scholarship Fund
Patrollers have complained of many problems with the NSP website. What are your plans to help resolve these issues?
These systems will always be a work in progress as we continue to optimize functionality and keep information fresh for our members and partners. We completed phases I and II (cloud migration and minimal viable product) of our member management system, website, and store upgrades recently. There have been a lot of changes this year, and we are moving at high speed toward a common goal. At the same time, we have been conscious of the impact of this on the staff and membership. I am pleased to say that we are now on the upside of this tech adoption curve, with our new systems in place and functional. Every day you check back, you are likely to see something new and improved.
by Marty Silverman | Oct 20, 2023 | Division News
Awards are a great way to recognize our patrollers for their outstanding performance and dedication. Yet, many patrols either don’t have an awards advisor or don’t submit awards because they find the award process daunting. Making these five mistakes is the biggest source of frustration to patrol awards advisors, especially new advisors.
1. Waiting until the last minute – The process of writing an NSP award application can be intimidating. It’s easy to put it off until the last minute. Awards have their busy seasons – fall refreshers, spring end-of-season events, and the end of February when the Outstanding awards are due. To be a successful award writer, you need time to prepare, research, and write the award application. The fall and winter are too busy. The best time to start is in the summer when fewer distractions exist. If you have a presentation date in mind, be sure to submit the award application at least 50 days before it’s needed. During the busy award season, it’s a good idea to allow even more time.
Tip: Step one should always be the re-reading of Chapter 12 — the Policies and Procedures (P&P) manual on the NSP.org website to learn the rules and requirements for each award. Step two is to read about the Eastern Division Awards available on the Awards page of NSPEast.org.
2. Trying to do it all by yourself – The research needed to write a successful award application can be intimidating. Don’t try to do it all by yourself. Ask your shift or team supervisors for background information about the nominee. A best friend or spouse can be a great source of information that will help the application stand out among the others. The Outstanding Awards require a lot of information. Recruit a team of 2 to 4 people to help you. Outstanding awards are due no later than March 1st, though some regions have earlier deadlines to allow for review and corrections.
3. Using an out-of-date form – Nothing will stop an award from moving up the line faster than using the wrong application form. Even if you wrote an award recently, always check to make sure you’ve got the most current version. Get the National award forms from the NSP.org Documents page or get Division award forms from the NSPEast.org Awards page every time.
4. Spelling errors – The second fastest thing to kill an award is poor writing and bad spelling. You don’t have to be Hemingway. Just put the facts into a story that’s interesting and compelling. The award application forms don’t have spell check. Nominations must be submitted in WORD format. Write your nomination, spell-check it, then copy and paste it into the form.
Tip: Before starting to fill in the nomination form, put the cursor behind the grey box and click the backspace button twice. This will remove the grey box and make it easier to return to make corrections.
5. Starting with the toughest award first – Everyone wants to go for the gold – Outstanding awards – first. Start with the easier stuff and learn the award process – Years of service, the Patroller Cross for an injured patroller, the Patriot Star for a patroller with military service, and the Patroller Achievement award. Then, move up to Merit Stars, which require more research and documentation.
Outstanding awards are the toughest to write and the least rewarding (pun intended.) We’re lucky to have so many great patrollers in the division. Your nominee could be great, but they are competing with many other wonderful people. I’ve been an award judge. Everyone looks good, so the judge makes the best decision he or she can. If your nominee doesn’t win, don’t be discouraged. Gather more information, rewrite the award, and try again next year.
Should you have any problems or questions, a good source of information is your region awards advisor. You can find a list of advisors and their contact information on the Eastern division website under Programs, Awards.
