This episode features an oral history interview with retired National Park Service ranger Butch Farabee, conducted by Luann Jones for the Centennial Voices Oral History Project. The interview focuses on how working for the National Park Service affected Butch's family during his time as a ranger at Yosemite National Park in the 1970s. Butch acknowledges that Park Service work is often hard on families, describing it as very demanding. He explains that in the summertime, rangers could work from noon until 6 AM the next morning regularly. This schedule created significant strain on his marriage and relationship with his young son. Butch's son, Lincoln, developed a specific trauma related to the job: he would scream uncontrollably whenever he heard jet planes at high altitude or similar loud noises. Butch's wife eventually realized this reaction was linked to helicopter arrivals in Yosemite Valley, which typically meant Butch was leaving for search-and-rescue missions. Butch's primary duty was search and rescue, abbreviated as SAR, requiring immediate response to emergencies. He kept his SAR equipment organized on the wall of their one-car garage, comparing it to a shopping market for quick access. When a helicopter approached, Butch would rush to grab his backpack and prepare to depart. The episode provides a firsthand account of the personal costs associated with park ranger work, particularly in high-demand roles like search and rescue. It illustrates the intersection of professional duty and family life in remote park settings. The narrative is delivered through Butch's recollections, offering concrete examples of how job pressures manifested at home. The interview is part of a broader oral history project documenting National Park Service experiences. It serves as a case study in the challenges faced by park employees beyond public-facing roles. The episode does not cover Butch's entire career but zooms in on this specific aspect of family impact. It highlights the emotional toll on children who grow up in park environments with parent rangers. The account is grounded in specific memories from the 1970s Yosemite context. Overall, it presents a nuanced perspective on park service life rarely discussed in public narratives.
