Gary Penman, Seeley Pioneer, Passes Away

Dennis Kruse shares the news:

Gary Penman died this afternoon after over a year of battling cancer. I met Gary almost thirty years ago when he was building ski trails on his land just east of Seeley. The last thing Gary was able to complete was the construction of a new ski trail connecting Seeley to the Birikie trail. He is responsible for bringing Seeley to life. He turned a small bar and abandoned gas station into the Sawmill Saloon and Seeley Hills Ski and Bike with a clock tower. He made an old workshop into a dance floor with stage and created the only place to celebrate the evening of the Birkie. After acquiring the Lenroot townhall he converted it into the Lenroot Lodge. On his own land he built ski trails that include three bridges and a tunnel. He started the first community of cabins connected by ski trails. While serving on the Board of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation he designed and directed construction of the warming hut at 00, as well as the cat house. Concerned about the issues of silent sports facing Sawyer County he ran for and was elected to the County Board. He was instrumental in putting lights on the trail at 00. For years he raced the Birkie out of the elite wave and completed many of the Worldloppet races in Europe. He also helped initiate the Seeley Hills Classic, the Seeley Roller Classic, the Black Bear Biathlon and the Pre Fat. He brought passion, commitment and honesty to every thing he touched. Seeley and the ski community will never be the same.

Oct 21 Update from Terry Penman:

Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.  As most of you know, Gary Penman passed away on Monday, October 20 after battling cancer for a year and a half.

There will be a Memorial Service and celebration of Gary's life at the Sawmill this Friday beginning at 2:00pm and going into the evening.  Please let others that may be concerned know. 

Thank you.
Terry

Tom Helds 'Off the Couch' Column Tribute to Gary