We have the unfortunate task of sharing with you that Del Jaquish passed away. Del played a critical role in assisting IDL with our Urban and Community Forestry Program in the late 1990s and early 2000s, serving as the Acting Program Manager and as a member of the Idaho Community Forestry Advisory Council.

Del was raised in Fresno and Sanger California and attended Reedley College. He obtained his BS in forestry from the University of Idaho in 1953. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. Del started working for the United States Forest Service seasonally while in high school and college, eventually becoming a smoke jumper, and after receiving his forestry degree and serving in the military he was hired as a District Ranger, serving multiple Ranger Districts in Idaho and Montana.

His outstanding communication skills led to multiple promotions throughout his 33-year career, eventually retiring as Deputy Director for Public Affairs in the Washington D.C. office. After retiring from the USFS, Del and his wife Bev settled in Post Falls, where he quickly became involved in urban/community forestry. He shared his love of people and his forestry expertise as Post Falls’ City Forester, while also helping the cities of Wallace, Kellogg and Smelterville develop local programs. 

Del continued working with Idaho communities well into his 70s, when his eyesight failed. He and Bev moved to Garden Plaza Assisted Living in 2018, with Bev passing in 2019 and Del passing in late April 2021 – just shy of his 92^nd birthday.

For all of us at IDL, and for many of you who knew Del, we are thankful for his contributions to our statewide program. And we’re all the better for having had the opportunity to spend time with such an exceptional human being!