Browne, Charles, 1896-1982

Charles Browne was born in Tacoma, Wash., on 15 July 1896. Browne was an avid mountain climber since his youth, climbing all the major peaks in the Northwest and leading parties of mountaineers to the summit of Mount Rainier. As a young man, Browne worked as a seaman and a logger before becoming a park ranger around 1927, first working summers before being hired as a full time ranger. Ranger Browne spent many years in Mount Rainier National Park, transferring to Olympic National Park sometime prior to 1941. Browne was also a champion skier and a longtime member of the Mountaineers Club. After thirty-seven years of service, Browne retired from the National Park Service in 1965. He and his wife lived in Port Angeles, Wash., until his death in Jan. 1982. Charles Browne took part in several search and rescue operations as part of his park ranger duties. He led the team that helped rescue four climbers and recover the bodies of two others in the "Greathouse accident" on Mount Rainier in 1929. For his leadership in the rescue operation and the recovery of the bodies of Edwin Wetzel and Forrest Greathouse, Ranger Browne was awarded the first citation for heroism ever given by the Dept. of the Interior.

From the description of Charles Browne Mount Rainier park ranger photographs and other material, 1929-1967 (bulk 1929-1931). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 429463523

Charles Browne was born in Tacoma, Washington on July 15, 1896. Browne was an avid mountain climber since his youth, climbing all the major peaks in the Northwest and leading parties of mountaineers to the summit of Mount Rainier. As a young man, Browne worked as a seaman and a logger before becoming a park ranger around 1927, first working summers before being hired as a full time ranger. Ranger Browne spent many years in Mount Rainier National Park, transferring to Olympic National Park sometime prior to 1941. Browne was also a champion skier and a longtime member of the Mountaineers Club. After 37 years of service, Browne retired from the National Park Service in 1965. He and his wife lived in Port Angeles, Washington until his death in January 1982.

Charles Browne took part in several search and rescue operations as part of his Park Ranger duties. He led the team that helped rescue four climbers and recover the bodies of two others in the "Greathouse accident" on Mount Rainier in 1929. For his leadership in the rescue operation and the recovery of the bodies of Edwin Wetzel and Forrest Greathouse, Ranger Browne was awarded the first citation for heroism ever given by the Department of the Interior.

From the guide to the Charles Browne Mount Rainier Park Ranger photographs and other material, 1929-1967, 1929-1931, (Museum of History & Industry Sophie Frye Bass Library)