In Memorium
Mitch Rohse
A pioneer in Oregon land-use planning, an author and photographer, Mitch Rohse was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1943. With his wife Louann and several friends by his side, he passed away on November 29, 2024, from cancer.
Mitch was a skilled writer, expressing his talent through articles and two books, and humorous poetry that was always in demand for friends’ celebrations. He was also the consummate master of puns. In retirement, he took up photography. His website “Just My Nature,” features Mitch’s photos of wildlife, travel, and landscapes.
Mitch was a long-time supporter of Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses. He could always be counted on to have that perfect photo that would finish up a social media post or an online call for donations. He graciously answered questions from the visiting public at Yaquina Head and could often be found out in the parking lot surrounded by happy visitors. He was funny and kind and learned, and his passion for teaching conservation will always be inspirational, especially to the staff and supporters at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area.
Mitch will be greatly missed, and remembered for his kindness, wit, curiosity for life, generosity, and enduring friendships. He is survived by his wife Louann; his son Jeff Mann (Janet), and their children, Kendall, Emma, and Cameron; and by granddaughters Eva and Ella Lamb.
Guy Monroe
Guy Monroe was a long-time outdoor educator, and throughout his career he passed on his passion for resource conservation to thousands of visitors to the Central Oregon coast. Guy was a retired Boeing computer specialist and a published author, his book “A Bird’s Day At Yaquina Head” was a popular item for years at the FOYL Interpretive Store. He loved to travel with his wife Karol, loved playing Duplicate Bridge, loved Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and supported the Friends group. He will be missed.
Christian Burns (Chris)
To hear Chris tell it, he had 3 life goals as a child. To work in media, to sail around the world, and to be a Park Ranger. After retiring from a successful career in radio, and after sailing around the world with his wife and two children for years, he landed here in Newport. He started volunteering at Yaquina Head and was soon hired (at 67 years old!) as a full-time ranger, proving that it is never too late to reach for your dreams. Chris was loved by staff and visitors alike; his deep laughter was infectious and his endless search for knowledge was an inspiration to us all. We lost Chris in August of 2020, and he is missed each and every day.
Gene Cummings
Wayland Eugene Cummings (Gene) was a long-time and much beloved member of the Friends of Yaquina Lighthouse (FOYL) staff. We were privileged to be at his side when he passed in 2019 after a short but valiant fight against cancer. Gene loved reading, solitary walks, and was an avid backpacker for many years. He could often be seen on the streets of Newport, wearing his floppy hat and carrying his trusty walking-stick.
Upon Gene’s death his family donated his car to FOYL, and we can’t thank them enough for their thoughtfulness. Gene was truly a part of the FOYL “family” for many years; we are sure a piece of his playful spirit remains here at Yaquina Head, flirting with the waves as they dance upon the beach that he loved so much.
Mitch Rohse
A pioneer in Oregon land-use planning, an author and photographer, Mitch Rohse was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1943. With his wife Louann and several friends by his side, he passed away on November 29, 2024, from cancer.
Mitch was a skilled writer, expressing his talent through articles and two books, and humorous poetry that was always in demand for friends’ celebrations. He was also the consummate master of puns. In retirement, he took up photography. His website “Just My Nature,” features Mitch’s photos of wildlife, travel, and landscapes.
Mitch was a long-time supporter of Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses. He could always be counted on to have that perfect photo that would finish up a social media post or an online call for donations. He graciously answered questions from the visiting public at Yaquina Head and could often be found out in the parking lot surrounded by happy visitors. He was funny and kind and learned, and his passion for teaching conservation will always be inspirational, especially to the staff and supporters at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area.
Mitch will be greatly missed, and remembered for his kindness, wit, curiosity for life, generosity, and enduring friendships. He is survived by his wife Louann; his son Jeff Mann (Janet), and their children, Kendall, Emma, and Cameron; and by granddaughters Eva and Ella Lamb.
Guy Monroe
Guy Monroe was a long-time outdoor educator, and throughout his career he passed on his passion for resource conservation to thousands of visitors to the Central Oregon coast. Guy was a retired Boeing computer specialist and a published author, his book “A Bird’s Day At Yaquina Head” was a popular item for years at the FOYL Interpretive Store. He loved to travel with his wife Karol, loved playing Duplicate Bridge, loved Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and supported the Friends group. He will be missed.
Christian Burns (Chris)
To hear Chris tell it, he had 3 life goals as a child. To work in media, to sail around the world, and to be a Park Ranger. After retiring from a successful career in radio, and after sailing around the world with his wife and two children for years, he landed here in Newport. He started volunteering at Yaquina Head and was soon hired (at 67 years old!) as a full-time ranger, proving that it is never too late to reach for your dreams. Chris was loved by staff and visitors alike; his deep laughter was infectious and his endless search for knowledge was an inspiration to us all. We lost Chris in August of 2020, and he is missed each and every day.
Gene Cummings
Wayland Eugene Cummings (Gene) was a long-time and much beloved member of the Friends of Yaquina Lighthouse (FOYL) staff. We were privileged to be at his side when he passed in 2019 after a short but valiant fight against cancer. Gene loved reading, solitary walks, and was an avid backpacker for many years. He could often be seen on the streets of Newport, wearing his floppy hat and carrying his trusty walking-stick.
Upon Gene’s death his family donated his car to FOYL, and we can’t thank them enough for their thoughtfulness. Gene was truly a part of the FOYL “family” for many years; we are sure a piece of his playful spirit remains here at Yaquina Head, flirting with the waves as they dance upon the beach that he loved so much.