ESTES PARK, COLO. — More than 600 people gathered in a chapel looking out on Rocky Mountain National Park Wednesday to share memories of Jeff Christensen, a park ranger who died from a fall while patrolling in the backcountry alone.
"Some say we face risk, an unnecessary risk," said Mark Magnuson, the park's chief ranger. "In our hearts, we know it's nothing compared to the loss of the wilderness."
"We risk all to protect that which endures beyond our individual selves," Magnuson said.
Christensen's body was found Saturday in the Mummy Range, visible from Hyde Chapel at the YMCA of the Rockies where the memorial service was held.
He was last seen on July 29 when he set out to patrol the rugged and remote area. An intensive eight-day search on the ground and in the air turned up no trace until Saturday, when a hiker found his body.
A preliminary report from the Larimer County coroner said Christensen died of head injuries from a fall he probably suffered on the day he was last seen.
Rangers console one another after a memorial service Wednesday for Rocky Mountain National Park Ranger Jeff Christensen at Hyde Chapel at the Estes Park YMCA in Estes Park, Colo. Christensen died from injuries suffered in a fall July 29 while patrolling at Rocky Mountain National Park.
His parents were told he had managed to wrap a T-shirt around his head, pastor Earl Matson said.
Chris Christensen, his mother, said that at first she asked why it all happened, but has since let that go. "It was purely an accident. It was Jeff's time to go," she told mourners.
Christensen, 31, had been a park ranger for four seasons and worked as a ski patrolman at the nearby Winter Park resort during the winter.
Dozens of uniformed co-workers from the resort and the National Park Service solemnly followed his casket as it was carried into the chapel.
Mourners shared stories of Christensen's devotion to friends, his laugh and his love of the mountains.
Paul Salem, who worked with Christensen at Winter Park, was among dozens who hiked steep inclines day after day looking for their friend. Salem said to laughs from the audience that Christensen was sending his friends to "fat camp," adding that he likely never would have explored the peaks and lakes of the national park otherwise.
"He just wanted to show us what a beautiful place he worked," said Joe Zuiches, another Winter Park co-worker.
Christensen's parents, from Forest Lake, Minn., went to the pulpit together to thank the volunteers who looked for their son.
"It's been an incredible week," said Dale Christensen, his father. "It didn't come out the way we hoped, but I really pray and hope that everybody can learn to work together."
Before Park Service workers escorted Christensen's casket outside, a bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" and Magnuson presented Chris Christensen with her son's ranger hat.
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