Rob Turan, in Memoriam, Feb. 2024.
 
The climbers of the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve have long cherished a remarkable dialogue with the Park Service, fostered in part by the esteemed figure of legendary climber and Park Ranger, Rob Turan. Rob was a father, grandfather, rock climber, adventurer, and retired Park Ranger, and also an impassioned storyteller, sharing his love of the outdoors with anyone within earshot. 

Rob Turan was one of the first ever NPS Park Rangers I ever had the pleasure of befriending.  Even before I moved to the New River Gorge, he would captivate me with stories about the history of climbing, Park Service, and the beauty of the gorge.  When I did eventually move to West Virginia, we would chat occasionally about the boulders, the history, what I was climbing, he’d was always excited about his retired farm life in Arkansas, his training, his volunteer life, and more.  While he remained committed to volunteering within the climbing community, he was equally devoted to caring for his rescue donkeys, adopted animals, and his giant-yet-playful pigs at his family farm. 

Rob's stories of the New River Gorge weren't just about climbing; they were about community and shared experiences.  He would talk about belaying ‘Lynnie’ on her ascent of The Greatest Show on Earth.  She onsighted the dihedral, he’d say, it was so cold, frigid, middle of February, Lynn was almost too cold to climb, so they all lent her jackets to warm up.  He was so proud of her. 

Rob also toured Scott Franklin around the New River Gorge during his visit, at the time Franklin was one of the strongest climbers in the country.  On one of Scott’s first days, Rob marched him down Short Creek and showed him Super Mario, which Rob had recently cleaned up and bolted.  He graciously handed the First Ascent to Scott, knowing that Scott was about to climb some of the best untouched rock in the country and Rob wanted to share his treasured back yard crag with him.  Rob believed in bridging the gap between climbers and the National Park Service, ensuring both thrived harmoniously.

Climbing in the New River Gorge today, you may notice new, shiny anchor hardware on select routes.  Today, NRAC employs a volunteer anchor replacement program with the guidance of the NPS that was spearheaded by Rob.  His help and enthusiasm turned a great idea for climbing bolt replacement into a reality and it was one of the first partnerships like that in the country.  The need for that type of work on public lands was just being realized and understood at the time and Rob knew how important it was.  Kenny Parker emphasized that without Rob’s help, NRAC could not have gotten the anchor replacement program going at that time. 
 
Rob’s contributions to climbing goes beyond the New River Gorge.  He wrote letters in support of keeping climbing open in Hawaii at the Mokuleia Crag, he helped keep Sunset Rock open in Chattanooga, he volunteered and taught numerous Search and Rescue clinics, he was integral in developing the NPS Climbing Management plan at the Obed Wild & Scenic River.  As a Park Ranger who climbed, he was able to provide valuable input that shaped the future of climbing in the Obed and countless other crags. Mikey Williams fondly remembers Rob's adventurous spirit, highlighting his relentless exploration of sandstone boulders from Chattanooga to the New River Gorge. Rob's passion for exploration and dedication to climbing predated its current popularity, showcasing his pioneering spirit in the climbing world.
 
In more recent times, Rob taught me that NPS Park Rangers are not just stewards of federal lands but allies to climbers and outdoor enthusiasts. His advocacy for climbing and love for public spaces will forever be remembered.  Though he may be gone, his spirit lives on in the history of climbing in the New, amongst many other crags.  Let us honor him by being inspired to continue his legacy of cherishing the outdoors, fostering inclusion, and sharing our passion for climbing with others.

From climbers everywhere, thank you, Rob, for your tireless dedication to our communities.