On behalf of Point Reyes National Seashore and the National Park Service, I extend our condolences to the Bielenberg and Greenblatt families and friends.

My name Is Doug Hee, Park Ranger at Point Reyes National Seashore, and I’d like to speak to John Bielenberg, the volunteer. John was a Visitor Services volunteer under the National Park Service’s Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) Program, volunteers being referred to as “VIPs.” I was John’s volunteer supervisor for the three years and three months he served at Point Reyes from December 9, 2016 to March 9, 2020. During this time, he donated 1,456 hours of his time, often working twice per week for at least six hours each day, double the minimum commitment we ask of volunteers for this position. As a Visitor Services volunteer, John staffed the front desk of the Bear Valley Visitor Center, answered visitor questions, and helped visitors plan their experiences in the park. He eagerly swore in Jr. Rangers, children who completed a Jr. Ranger booklet. After John verified that the children completed the requirements, he asked them to raise their right hands and with them, recited the Jr. Ranger pledge. As a volunteer, John was always professional. He wore the uniform smartly, was always respectful and friendly, and arrived at work with excitement and a smile. And although John didn’t always smile as visitors approached the front desk, he made them feel at ease through his tone of voice and the full attention he gave to them.

John enjoyed the busy pace of the visitor center but was equally comfortable when it was slow and when we left him to staff the front desk by himself. He was committed to giving the ranger staff the time to work on other projects in the office. When I would check up on him to make sure he wasn’t getting bored, he always said he was fine. In fact, I noticed that he was on the computer looking up information about resources in the park in an effort to learn more and to be of better service to the public. When I was loitering on the desk waiting to socialize with him, he often politely said that he’s “got it” (the desk), implying that I should leave and go do my work. John wanted to make a difference and to be of service.

John was passionate about Point Reyes and national parks in general. He often forwarded to our volunteer email list information about other parks and calls to action, and he never hesitated to give his opinion or suggestions. He emailed me several times about his concern that visitors to Point Reyes were not wearing facial coverings and social distancing when he recreated in the park, and he advocated that the park should improve its COVID-19 signage. With email being limited in the ability to convey emotion and intent, I might have interpreted his messages as nagging, but knowing John, I knew that he spoke with respect, support, and caring.

In honor of his service and commitment, he was nominated for the Point Reyes National Seashore Volunteer of the Year award last year. Although he was not selected as the awardee, John was a VIP in the fullest sense of the term.

All the park staff who knew and worked with him will sorely miss his smile, humor, congeniality, and his dedication to service. As National Park Service employees, we often refer to our agency as a family, more so at the level of a park and work group. It was an honor to know and work with John as we considered him a part of our family.

Doug Hee
Park Ranger
Point Reyes National Seashore