Naturalist, Author, Folk Figure. A native of Primrose, Iowa, Dick served as a carpenter in the Navy during World War II. After his discharge, he held many jobs in Alaska, mainly as a diesel mechanic, rancher, and a stint with Fish and Wildlife Services, until 1967, when he decided to retire. Arriving in the Alaskan wilderness in May 1968, Dick built a log cabin with hand tools, and used many materials he made himself. He would study plant and animal life in the region he lived in, which was called Twin Lakes. Many visitors, including famous singers and politicians, would come to Twin Lakes and visit Dick regularly. He would make several trips to Iowa to visit his family. During one of these trips in 1976, Dick's plane crashed but he miraculously survived. He lived at Twin Lakes until 1999, when he decided that it was becoming to hard to deal with the harsh winter due to his declining health and opted to move to California to be with his brother. He deeded his cabin and its contents to the National Park Service. His cabin and the surrounding area is now part of Lake Clark National Park. Two books, One Man's Wilderness and More Readings from One Man's Wilderness, were written from his journals. A video, Alone in the Wilderness, was made about Dick. A sequel, Alone in the Wilderness Part 2, has since been released as well and there is enough footage shot by Proenneke to produce a third installment.
Naturalist, Author, Folk Figure. A native of Primrose, Iowa, Dick served as a carpenter in the Navy during World War II. After his discharge, he held many jobs in Alaska, mainly as a diesel mechanic, rancher, and a stint with Fish and Wildlife Services, until 1967, when he decided to retire. Arriving in the Alaskan wilderness in May 1968, Dick built a log cabin with hand tools, and used many materials he made himself. He would study plant and animal life in the region he lived in, which was called Twin Lakes. Many visitors, including famous singers and politicians, would come to Twin Lakes and visit Dick regularly. He would make several trips to Iowa to visit his family. During one of these trips in 1976, Dick's plane crashed but he miraculously survived. He lived at Twin Lakes until 1999, when he decided that it was becoming to hard to deal with the harsh winter due to his declining health and opted to move to California to be with his brother. He deeded his cabin and its contents to the National Park Service. His cabin and the surrounding area is now part of Lake Clark National Park. Two books, One Man's Wilderness and More Readings from One Man's Wilderness, were written from his journals. A video, Alone in the Wilderness, was made about Dick. A sequel, Alone in the Wilderness Part 2, has since been released as well and there is enough footage shot by Proenneke to produce a third installment.
Bio by: Jacob Everett
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