Dutch Flat environmentalist, author Towle dies in auto accident
Dutch Flat environmentalist and author Russell Towle has died after being pinned against his own car by another vehicle while stopped along Interstate 80. The accident occurred just after 4 p.m. Thursday along the eastern end of the Yolo Causeway between West Sacramento and Davis. Towle, 59, was well-known in Placer County environmental circles for his passion in preserving the North Fork of the American River canyon. An author of a history of Dutch Flat, Towle had lived in the mountain community east of Colfax since 1975. Terry Davis, conservation director with the Mother Lode chapter of the Sierra Club, described Towle as a low-profile but tireless worker for saving trails and preserving the North Fork. Towle, who wrote a book about Dutch Flat and kept up a respected blog about his trail experiences, was remembered Tuesday by Auburn State Recreation Area Canyon Keepers founder Jim Ferris as someone with an incredible enthusiasm for the relatively undisturbed North Fork canyon area. “He knew a lot of things about a lot of things, and I’ve often thought it would be good to compile his writings into a book,” Ferris said. Towle’s son, Greg, described his father as not only an environmentalist but a local historian, mathematician, hiker, linguist and geologist who would lead him on incredible hikes and tell memorable stories. Woodland CHP Officer Phil Gruidl said Russell Towle was driving eastbound in a Subaru along Interstate 80, a half mile east of Enterprise Boulevard, when the vehicle apparently had some mechanical problems. Russell Towle pulled over to the right-hand shoulder and his father, 81-year-old Dick Towle of Dutch Flat, who was driving in a truck accompanying his son, also pulled over, the highway patrol report said. The two had been traveling together in the two vehicles after picking up the car from another location, Gruidl said. The report said the elder Towle lost sight of his son as he backed up and pinned Russell Towle between the two vehicles. Russell Towle was taken to a nearby hospital where he died of injuries received in the accident, Gruidl said. Arrangements for a memorial service for Russell Towle have yet to be finalized. A native of Iowa, Russell Towle is survived by his wife, Gay Wiseman of Dutch Flat, a daughter, Janet Towle of Davis, a son, Greg Towle of Dutch Flat, a brother, Richard Towle of Alameda, sisters Shellie Archer of Ukiah and Karen Mingst of Rocklin, his father, Richard, stepmother Sally Towle of Dutch Flat, and his mother, Carol Towle of Grass Valley. The Journal’s Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com.
Keywords
russell, towle, dutch flat, environmentalist, author, dies, dead, auto, accident, richard towle, yolo causeway, interstate 80
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This is such sad news. My heart goes out to his family. I remember meeting Russell in the library where he often did research back in the 80's. He was always a gentleman.
I am so very sad today, on reading this news. The foothills and mountains of our area have lost a gem of a supporter. I have been reading Russell's wonderful accounts of exploring, history, science and much more for several years. His knowledge of the California Coast and so many other things will also be so sorely missed. As with me, I'm sure he was a window to the North Fork of the American River for many people.
My condolences to his family and friends, and special thoughts to his father, at this very sad time. Russell will be missed so very much.
Looking back at the time I've known Russell I am surprised that it has been less than six years. In those six years I've had the opportunity to hike and explore with him this incredible canyon we call the North Fork. The adventures we had could range anywhere from the simple drive out to some vista of the canyon to an exhausting bush wack in search of some hidden history of the North Fork. There was always something to learn from Russell and I am in much debt to him for my knowledge and appreciation of the North Fork and much more. I will miss him dearly and my heart goes out to his family.
See you on down the trail Russ!
I didn't know Russell though I met him briefly on the Sunday before his death. He came to our house to pick up Greg, his son, who had spent the week with my son and me on a trip to Southern California to look at colleges for the two boys who are entering seniors at Colfax High School. From the comments above I can easily picture Russell on a trail. Tall and rangy he looked like a person most comfortable in a natural setting.
Greg is a fantastic young man. If one sees the father in the son then Russell must have also been a terrific human being. My heart goes out to Greg, his mother, his two brothers and his sister, his grandparents and the rest of the Towle family.
No words can assuage such grief as this one. When someone refers to another as "unique," Russell would be the one who set all the standards. He was so much more than just one of a kind.
My heart turns to the family, the depth of sorrow and burdens we cannnot possibly fathom, especially when we can barely manage our own sadness.
The mysteries of life are not blowing kindly on us mortals at this time.
I want to share with the world this wonderful man, my big brother, Russell. I invite anyone who is interested to go to http://russelltowle.blogspot.com and read about our growing up years, as well as other tidbits. I miss him, but a close mutual friend just reminded me that Russell will always live on along the trails of the North Fork - in every tree, every flower, every rock - so I can be with him any time, as can we all.
Hike in peace, my dear brother,
Karen
(For my students, I am the former Mrs. Deitchler, now living in Rocklin and Nevada City.)