• Bear Creek EMS Program, Virtual, 6/23, Contact Eric Snyder
• Bike Patroller School, Ontario County Park, NY, 6/27-28, Contact: John Wolf
• Certified Boot Camp, Magic Mountain, VT 8/7-9, Contact: Jenn Laitala
• AMN, Campgaw Ski Center, NJ, 9/11-13, Contact: Chuck Boyd
• Bike Patroller School, Holimont, NY, 9/12-13, Contact: John Wolf
• Enhanced Patroller School, Swain, NY, 9/18-20, Contact Tom Wallin
Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division can once again don the division’s historic ski trooper insignia on their Army Green Service Uniform garrison caps, restoring a visual link to the unit’s World War II roots and reinforcing the alpine spirit that resonates across the formation.
Although never officially recognized, the insignia was adopted by 10th Mountain Division soldiers in 1943. The symbol represented a soldier’s ability to fight in harsh winter conditions and rugged mountain terrain. Today, leaders say bringing the emblem back to everyday uniform wear honors that legacy while reminding Soldiers of the division’s high standards.
Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann, commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division, said the decision carries real meaning for the force. “The crossed skis are more than a symbol from our past,” Naumann said. “They represent the toughness, adaptability and spirit that define this division. Seeing them on our Soldiers’ caps connects who we are today with the mountaineers who built our reputation.”
The division’s origins trace back to Camp Hale, Colorado, where soldiers trained on steep slopes, icy ridgelines, and snow covered trails before deploying to Italy. Their assault on Riva Ridge and the breakthrough of the German Gothic Line became defining moments in U.S. military history. Although today’s 10th Mountain Division no longer fights on skis, its mission as a rapidly deployable light infantry force still demands the same warrior spirit, readiness, and grit.
Command Sgt. Maj. Brett Johnson, the division’s senior enlisted leader, said the return of the insignia helps reinforce that identity. “When a Soldier puts on that cap and sees the crossed skis, it’s a reminder of the legacy they’re a part of,” Johnson said. “It tells them, ‘You belong to a division known for going where others dare not go, and you’re expected to carry that forward.’”
Leaders say the change not only strengthens esprit de corps but ensures that the division’s heritage remains visible in modern formations. For those across the formation, the crossed skis serve as a proud reminder of the unit’s identity and the generations who shaped it.
Complete article available at Military.com.
Richard “Rick” Shandler died on April 29, 2026, after a short illness at Lankenau Medical Center in Penn Wynne, PA. Rick was born in 1961 in Broomall, PA to Selma Shandler (née Ziegler) and Irving Shandler.
Rick graduated from Marple Newtown High School in 1979 and was in the Class of 1983 at Temple University with a theater arts major. He spent the next 20 years working in theater traveling the world as technical director for theatrical shows, concerts, festivals, etc. He also taught theater arts at the collegiate level at several colleges throughout the United States.
Concurrently, Rick was working as the Director of Operations at Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Center (DRC) from 1988-2003. He changed careers in 2003 and began working in the medical field first as a senior technologist in Electrophysiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and most recently as an Executive Clinical Account Specialist in Electrophysiology for Biosense Webster as well as Interim Product Director for Ultrasound in 2013 for Biosense Webster.
Rick was an EMT and a Wilderness EMT and was a very active volunteer. He Joined the National Ski Patrol (NSP) in 1996 and worked at the local, regional, and national levels often holding senior leadership positions. He was NSP’s Program Director for the Safety Team and for the Nordic/Backcountry Program. Rick created a Memorandum of Understanding between the US National Parks Service and the National Ski Patrl and created the Valley Forge Ski and Bike Patrol at Valley Forge National Park in 2012 where he was still program director.
In 2012, Rick helped organize a ski tour with the Eastern and International Divisions (then the European Division) to ski the Bernese Oberland Haute Route. This was a combined MTR/Avalanche training. Rick also liked rock climbing doing routes in the Tetons and the Gunks.
During the early through mid-2000s, Rick regularly showed up to help instruct at Level 2 Avalanche courses as well as ESAW (Eastern States Avalanche Workshop) and the IsSW (International Snow Science Workshop). He once represented NSP at ICAR (International Commission for Alpine Rescue) at their European conference.
Rick was and an instructor and IT in Avalanche, MTR, Nordic/Backcountry and OEC. He was instrumental in the founding of the NSP Nordic Master Program and proudly earned Nordic Master #007. In 2013 he received National Appointment #11450 and a Distinguished Service Award in 2020. In 2019 he received a Yellow Merit Star as the Patrol Representative of the National Outstanding Nordic Patrol.
Rick regularly traveled aroundntothe Eastern Division’s Nordic patrols and taught XOEC. He was spearheading the team that was writing the XOEC chapter for the new OEC 7.
Rick also enjoyed spending time on the water teaching whitewater kayaking, whitewater safety rescue classes, and volunteering with the Friendship Dive Rescue Team in Phoenixville, PA. He taught many different classes throughout his life including the National Ski Patrol, the Philadelphia Canoe Club, the American Red Cross, and at many universities and schools throughout the country. His accomplishments, certifications, and the number of lives he touched are too vast to list. Rick loved nothing more than helping people.
Rick is survived by his wife Susan Shandler (née Pratt) and his children Abram and Elias who will all miss him terribly. A Memorial Service was held in his honor at Temple Sholom, Broomall, PA on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Donations can be made to the American Red Cross and to Temple Sholom.
Rich Pietrafesa, Board Member
No matter how you look at it, the 2026 Eastern Patroller and Alumni Event was an outstanding success. There were over 100 people signed up to participate, more than double last year’s event. The evening events with NSP Board members Rich Pietrafesa and Butch MacQueen, the NSP Safety Team, and the history of the 10th Mountain Division were well attended and very informative.
Butch MacQueen, Board Member & John Crandall, former SVT Alumni Advisor
Stratton Mountain did a great job welcoming us. The daily events included touring the snowmaking operations, the Carlos Otis Clinic and First Aid Center, and the Patrol Summit HQ. These provided us insight into some unique attributes of the daily routine of different departments at Stratton. Matt Jones, CEO of Stratton, even came and talked about the resort, the ski industry, and answered questions from us all.
Melanie Musczynski, EDIV Safety Team & Oliver Loewen, Stratton Patrol
Special thanks to Stratton Patrollers Larry Kneip, Steve Sabastian, Ned O’Rourke, Bill Vosmer, and Oliver Loewen for spending the better part of the week guiding us on the mountain and providing great conversations. Having our own guides really made for great days on the snow.
There were patrollers and Alums from all 15 Regions of the Eastern Division and from the PRO ranks as well. Folks from Maine to West Virginia, Buffalo to New Jersey were present. Good times, good food, and great fellowship were had by all. Oh, and some pretty fine skiing too. Hope to see you all next year!
Written by The Alumni Advisors of the Eastern Division
ELK MOUNTAINAgain, this year, the One-Day Women’s Toboggan Event at Elk Mountain on Friday, January 23, was a huge success! The collaboration between the Eastern Division Women’s Program and the EPA Region hosted 21 participants and five instructors. The day was filled with supportive coaching, training on toboggans and skills, while sharing laughs, lunch, and allowing everyone to work within their comfort levels. Women teaching and empowering other women is always a win! Please be on the lookout for more women’s programming next ski season.
Chrissy Ludka, Eastern Division Women’s Program Supervisor
Kurt Adam, EPA Region Director
Twenty women and several instructors from Eastern New York and beyond took to the glades, steeps and bumps on Friday, February 27 as part of Gore Mountain Women’s OET Clinic.
The clinic marked a major growth milestone for the ENY Women’s Program, with double the number of attendees as previous events in the region. It also marked the first year a women’s OET clinic was held the Friday before Gore Mountain Patroller School, giving many participants a three-day OET enhancement experience.
Here’s what participants had to say:
Follow Eastern Division Women’s Program at @nspeastwomen on both Instagram and Facebook for next year’s clinic dates!
Amy Reinink, ENY Women’s Program Advisor
We held an amazing women’s empowerment clinic at Bristol Mountain on Saturday, March 7. This also happened to be international women’s weekend. We hosted 24 amazing women from seven different patrols. Our ladies ran sleds, worked with PSIA and AASI 
instructors, and stretched out with some ” Snow-ga” (yoga in snow). We finished the day with an amazing charcuterie munch and mingle. Our amazing women patrollers felt empowered to be the best they could be!
Pam Welch, GVR Women’s Program Coordinator
Though the season is more than half over there are a lot of events still to come. Check out the list below and be sure to add them to your calendar.
Eastern Division Alumni Days
Lloyd Alexander, age 95, of North Tonawanda, NY, entered into rest on January 1, 2026. He was born on December 3, 1930, and was the beloved son of the late Thomas and Eva Alexander.
Lloyd was married for 67 years to his devoted wife, the late Dolly Alexander, with whom he built a life centered on family, adventure, and service to others.
A proud veteran of the Korean War, Lloyd carried his sense of duty and discipline throughout his life. He devoted his professional career to education, serving as a teacher and Assistant Principal at Lewiston-Porter Junior High, where he impacted generations of students.
An avid skier for more than 80 years, Lloyd was a lifetime member of the National Ski Patrol and a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America for over 40 years at Kissing Bridge. He was also a longtime member of the Glenwood Acres Ski Club. His love for the outdoors extended beyond skiing to camping, hiking, kayaking, golfing, mountain biking and traveling extensively across the country in a motor home with his family.
Lloyd was very active as a patroller achieving senior status and receiving Certified #167 in 1982. He served on the Eastern Division and WNY Instructor Development teams as coordinator, trainer, mentor, and instructor. In WNY he was active as the Certified an Instructor Development advisors.
Lloyd was also a certified PSIA Instructor who assisted with the S&T program for older ski patrollers in the region until Covid hit.
The list of the awards he received is long and varied.
1971 National Appointment #3749
1975 Patroller of the Year
1981 and 1999 Yellow Merit Stars
2001 Distinguished Service Award
2001 Regional Certificate of Appreciation
2006 Meritorious Service Award
2009 Eastern Division Patriot Star
2006 Meritorious Service Award
2025 65-year service where he said 65+ years well spent! “I am so proud and humbled to have been a member of such a fantastic organization.”
Above all, Lloyd cherished time spent with family, especially playing cards and sharing stories. He lived life with quiet determination, humor, and resilience, often reminding those around him with his favorite saying: “Don’t let the old man in.”
Lloyd’s legacy of service, adventure, and deep family devotion will be remembered and treasured by all who knew him. He is survived by his children: Jeanine (Paul) Lampkin, Joy (Glen Boddy) Alexander, Jeanette (Bob) LaMantia, James (Mary) Alexander, and Joanne (the late Charles) Huk. He was a proud and loving grandfather to Jennifer Swan; Eric (Stacie) Lampkin; Michelle (Andrew) Bacon; Sean (DeLacey) Lampkin; RaeAnn (Patrick) Halferty; Zachary (Casey) Huk; Nicholas Alexander; and Tyler Huk. He was further blessed with great-grandchildren Isabella (Xavier) Harris, Ava Scocchera, Emilee Bacon, Aidan Scocchera, Collin Bacon, Abel Lampkin, Remy Lampkin, Finn Lampkin, and Theo Halferty, as well as great-great-grandchildren Huxton Harris and Gigi Harris, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend at Glenwood Acres Ski Club at Kissing Bridge, more specific details will be announced. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the National Ski Patrol, 133 S. Van Gordon St., Ste. 100, Lakewood, CO 80228. Condolences may be shared at FrettholdFuneralHome.com
David Coakley passed away on February 12, 2026. He was the son of Joseph H. Coakley (1908-1976) and Florence M. Coakley (1910-2000) . He grew up in North Dartmouth and New Bedford, MA, where he was an accomplished scholar athlete. He went on to attend Southern Massachusetts University (now UMASS) where he played college soccer and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
David was very proud of his New Bedford, MA roots. He was an avid sailor since a young age and sailed all around Buzzards Bay, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, MA his entire life. He was particularly proud of the New Bedford Whaling History as David was a direct descendant of Captain John T. Coakley, a Whaling Captain out of New Bedford, MA.
Dave Coakley is the type of patroller we all aspire to be. He joined NSP in 1974 as a member of the Mohawk Ski Patrol and threw himself into his ski patrol career with energy and enthusiasm.
He started his career by learning everything he could about ski patrolling. Within the first ten years of his career he had taken his Avalanche, Mountaineering 1 and 2, and had become a Senior.
At the time, Dave was the Connecticut Region First Aid Advisor. Shortly thereafter the WEC program was created, and Dave played a significant role in implementing this new program.
In 1988 Dave took on the role of Region Director and continued in this position until 1991. His organizational skills were put to good use, and his easy personality moved the region toward excellence during his term. After leaving the position of Region Director, many people settle back and become just a regular patroller again. Not Dave. Dave became an OEC Instructor in 1992 and instructed in various ways. He also became a Senior OEC Trainer/Evaluator.
Dave continued to use his training skills for his local patrol, the instructor refreshers, and the region OEC refreshers for a great many years. He continued to be active with the Senior EMM program, helping facilitate activities or helping with clinics.
Dave had the complete respect and admiration of Connecticut Region patrollers and many others throughout the Eastern Division. he was a thoughtful and calming influence. He used his engineering-trained mind to analyze situations, scenarios, training opportunities and administrative situations to find the very best way to teach, demonstrate, administer or mediate. Lots of patrollers have outstanding training and experience in first aid. They all listened when Dave talked.
Dave was clearly a strong guiding influence through most of the Connecticut Region’s development. The Connecticut Region is what it is, due in a large part to the efforts, energy, talents, and personality of Dave Coakley. In recognition of his long dedicated service in 1983 Dave National Appointment #6233. He was also the recipient of a National Certificate of Appreciation in 2001 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2010.
Dave is survived by his five children: three daughters, Jean Gibeault (husband Greg), Susan Waldron and Sandra Coakley and two sons, Robert Coakley and Richard Coakley (wife Deborah). David also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Donations may be made to the Descendants of Whaling Masters of New Bedford, MA.
Ralph Cooke of Glenwood, NJ passed away on December 23, 2025, at the age of 77. An avid reader with a keen intellect who loved games, Ralph warmed many lives with his good humor and insight. He was always ready to listen to others’ perspectives and share a kind word. He loved the outdoors, and spent his free time hiking, swimming, camping, and white-water rafting.
Throughout his life, Ralph was known for his generous heart, sage wit, and indominable spirit. Ralph grew up in Pompton Plains, where he served as a Boy Scout and played football as a teen. He graduated from Alfred University with a degree in English.
Ralph was a passionate teacher and a beloved contributor to his community. He taught English at West Milford High School; after directing several high school plays, Ralph developed the first high school news production program in New Jersey, leading students to produce a weekly local news show until he retired. Ralph was also a small business owner; he and his brother Ed ran the Culver Lake Wicker Outlet on weekends.
A lover of the wild, Ralph then moved to Tupper Lake, where he met his future wife Kathleen teaching in the Adirondacks. Kathy shared his love of folk music and literature and his dauntless spirit, and the two traveled abroad teaching ESL in Spain before settling down in Sussex County, New Jersey; they were married in 1977.
He was a lifelong skier, and he joined the National Ski Patrol at Hidden Valley in 1999 serving as an active member for 26 years. In addition to patrolling, Ralph taught Outdoor Emergency Care courses for nine years and served as the NJ Region Alumni Advisor. He was awarded Leadership Commendation Appointment #8537 in 2019 for his work on the patrol and was an active skier until he died.
“The mountains are calling, and I must go,” was one of Ralph’s favorite quotes. He leaves behind many loved ones and friends who will dearly miss his untamed spirit. Ralph will be remembered with a celebration of life later in the spring; for information, please contact his wife Kathy at kmscooke@gmail.com or his daughter Ana Cooke at ana.cooke@proton.me.
