Bob and Jonathan Springmeyer, American West Center: an interview by John Worsencroft, 21 January 2009

Transcript (27 pages) of interview by John C. Worsencroft with Robert and Jonathan Springmeyer on 21 January 2009

Robert (b. 1943) was born in Provo and raised in the Salt Lake area. He took up skiing when he was twelve or thirteen. He joined his neighborhood buddies and younger brother and skied on Saturday mornings. Skiing was just a part of his love for the outdoors, which came to include climbing, hiking, fishing and canoeing. During his life he has witnessed great changes in how people can access the natural areas of the United States. The increase in the popularity of outdoor activities has widened choices, but has also seen the rise of regulations and crowds. Coming from a time where the opportunities to turn ones avocation into a vocation were very limited and difficult he lives by a simple rule: keep those parts of his life separate. Jonathan (b. 1970) is the son of Robert Springmeyer and shares his love for the outdoors. He started skiing at three years old, back when there was no ski equipment made for young children. He broke his leg during his second ski season, at the age of four, at Chickadee Shoots. Reminded of the trips he took with his father as a kid, he recalls innocently breaking park regulations during a canoeing and fishing trip to Yellowstone Park. He is trying to teach his kids to respect the outdoors, especially since they live in a place where the outdoors can literally be in your backyard. Like his father, he believes that the best way to destroy an avocation is to make it a vocation. Interview is part of the Outdoor Recreation Oral History Project. Interviewer: John Worsencroft