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IN MEMORIAM

American Trails and trail supporters around the country mourn the loss of Hulet Hornbeck on January 7, 2012.

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“If thoughts could make a pathway and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again.” -- Katya Hornbeck, Hulet’s Granddaughter

READ HULET’S OBITUARY ~ provided by his Family

See more remembrances and add your own on the American Trails blog...

Recent news about Hulet Hornbeck:
• January 7, 2012 ~ American Trails BLOG
• January 10, 2012 ~ Martinez Gazette: East Bay Trail Blazer, Hulet Hornbeck, Dies at 92
• January 10, 2012 ~ Martinez Gazette: Love, Life, and the Great Outdoors
• January 11, 2012 ~ East Bay Regional Park District Mourns Conservationist and Trail Advocate, Hulet Hornbeck

Hulet Hornbeck enjoyed a distinguished career as Chief of Land Acquisition for the East Bay Regional Park District from 1965 through 1985, and was well-known for his many years of volunteer efforts on behalf of trails.

Hulet organized the 1st National Trails Symposium in 1971 and was a founding board member of the National Trails Council, predecessor to American Trails. He then actively and enthusiastically served on the National Trails Council for 17 years and on the Board of Directors for American Trails for over 16 years. Hulet inspired the American Trails Board throughout the years with his zest for life, integrity, wisdom, passion for trails, and unwavering vision for preservation.

Read more about Hulet Hornbeck:

Hulet Hornbeck, trail activist and land acquisition specialist

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Hulet Hornbeck at the dedication of the Trail that bears
his name at Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline

Mr. Hulet Clark Hornbeck, a New Jersey native has been a lifetime conservationist and outdoorsman. It was in the Army Air Force during WW2, where Hulet's skills in navigation, map reading, understanding of topography, and natural instincts resulted in his assignment of lead navigator in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

After the war, Hulet studied Forestry at University of Maine and received a law degree in 1949 from Rutgers University.

Hulet enjoyed a distinguished career as Chief of Land Acquisition for the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) from 1965 through 1985, and was well-known for his many years of volunteer efforts on behalf of trails.

The East Bay Regional Park District credits Hulet with overseeing the acquisition of 49,000 acres of parkland, expanding the District’s land holdings from eight parks (13,000 acres) to 46 parks (62,000 acres), and envisioning the Park District’s interconnected trail system which, at over 200 miles, is now a national model in urban planning.

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Hulet speaking at the Kodak American Greenways Award in 2003, when
American Trails was selected as a national award recipient

Hulet's vision was clear from the beginning of his career, "I am well aware of the potential of open lands and the experience they can provide. I believe they are essential to the well-being of our citizens and future generations."

Hulet left no doubt about how strongly he felt about the role of government in protecting land: "I have a certainty that public urban parks, trails, and open space corridors have a priority equal in the public interest and benefit to that for railroads, roads, power, and public buildings."

Currently, EBRPD manages over 91,000 acres of land, 1000 miles of trails, 150 of which are in regional, recreational and transportation trails systems, linking communities, schools, residential areas, shops, business parks, regional recreation facilities and public transportation centers. Hulet’s work greatly contributed to the unique position that the East Bay Regional Park District still enjoys today as being the largest regional park system in the nation.

Volunteer Efforts

Hulet’s volunteer efforts on behalf of trails, greenways, and parks were varied and numerous. He served in leadership roles with the following organizations over the years:

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Hulet at the dedication of Redding's Sundial Bridge in 2004

American Trails
American Hiking Society
Amigos de Anza
California Conservation Council
California Recreational Trails Committee (Governor-appointed committee 1987-1996)
California Trails & Greenways Foundation
Contra Costa Parks Committee
East Bay Area Trails Council
Heritage Trails Fund
Martinez Land Trust
National Trails Council
Regional Parks Association
Save Mt. Diablo
Sierra Club (San Francisco Bay Chapter)
Solano County Farmlands and Open Space Foundation
And others...

Honors

California Conservation Council - Award of Merit
Heritage Trail Fund Award
John Muir Memorial Association - John Muir Conservation Award
Pacific Order of Sante Terra - Walkers Award of Merit
Metropolitan's Horsemen's Association - President's Cup
1996 ~ Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Trails and Greenways Conference in 1996. In presenting this award to Hulet, Donald Murphy of the California Department of Parks & Recreation said,
“Hulet, probably your most important contribution is in passing your vision on to others. The value of that message is beyond measure.”
2000 ~ Hulet was presented with the American Trails National Lifetime Service Award for his years of demonstrating longstanding, significant and exemplary service to trails preservation, planning, implementation, and recreation. His award read,
“Hulet, we recognize your lifetime of standing ovations ~ Thank you for lighting our way!”
2005 ~ Hulet was honored on October 14, 2005 with the dedication of the Hulet Hornbeck Trail at Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline.

The “Hulet Hornbeck” Award

In 2006, American Trails created a special National Award in Hulet’s honor: the “Hulet Hornbeck” Award. This award is “for an individual that, like Hulet Hornbeck, exemplifies long-standing vision and wisdom in support of trails.” It is the highest honor celebrated in the national trails community. American Trails’ national awards are presented every two years at the National Trails Symposium.

A Memorial in Honor of Hulet’s Life ~ A Life Well Lived ~ was held February 26, 2012 at the East Bay Regional Park District’s Tilden Park, Berkeley, California

In lieu of flowers, Hulet’s family has suggested making a donation to one or more of the following organizations in his memory:

Regional Parks Foundation: for a memorial bench to be placed in Briones Regional Park in Hulet’s name: P.O. Box 21074 Crestmont Station, Oakland, CA 94620
American Trails: contributions will go to the American Trails Hulet Hornbeck Memorial Fund to further the AT mission of advancing and promoting the development, preservation, and enjoyment of diverse, high quality trails and greenways: P.O. Box 491797 Redding, CA 96049-1797
Save Mt. Diablo: 1901 Olympic Blvd., Suite 320, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

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IN MEMORIAM

Hulet Hornbeck, trail activist and land acquisition specialist