Karen Fant

I'm saddened to note the passing of one of Washington's pioneers in protecting our irreplaceable wilderness, Karen Fant. Karen founded the Washington Wilderness Coalition, where I worked as executive director from 1991-1994. This was my first job as an executive director and Karen was wonderful, ecnouraging me and teaching,while ever mindful to keep an arm's length and allow me the freedom to learn on the job.

Most nonprofit founders have a hard time distancing themselves from their "baby" and often make life miserable for the person who succeeds them. In fact, it's such a common occurrence there's a term for it, Founder's Syndrome. Karen was very interested in seeing her organization survive and thrive, but was ever gracious and ever mindful that it needed to stretch its legs and grow without her.

Karen was one of handful of people who without their help, we would not have treasures like the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Glacier Peaks and Pasayten Wilderness areas. While Karen is gone, her gift of wilderness activism will live on in the spectacular wilderness lands of Washington.