Ryan Thrush is Retiring

Thirty years, that’s hard to believe. When you first started this journey, I don’t think you had any idea what was ahead of you in this career. Through the years you’ve celebrated the joys and challenges of being a part of the National Park Service and have served in many aspects and jobs; and for 22 years of it, I have gone through the ups and downs, challenges of a law enforcement career; the long nights, the stressful calls with you…but you were meant to be in this career –  you are many things; strong leader and mentor, a fiercely protective force that stood by your staff,  a dedicated servant to the NPS, an amazing father & supportive son, smart diligent get things done kind of guy, but mostly a loving caring individual that the Black Canyon will surely miss; especially the visitor.     

THIS WAS MORE THAN JUST YOUR JOB. THIS HAS BEEN OUR LIFE FOR THE LAST 22 YEARS AND YOUR CAREER FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS, AND IT’S STRANGE TO THINK THAT WITH YOUR RETIREMENT, THIS LIFESTYLE IS COMING TO AN END AND A NEW CHAPTER IS BEGINNING.

As I reflect on how the NPS has shaped and changed us, I suppose my glasses are a little rosier now than when we were younger. I think about those first years spent adjusting to your law enforcement lifestyle and the many long hours you put in to help others and make money for our ever-growing family.  People would tease me that they didn’t actually know if I was married, because you were always working.  You came into my life accepting 2 children as your own (both financially and emotionally), you provided a new home and a new life and in all of that, managed to grow your career to what I believe is something to really be proud of.  YOU ARE AMAZING!!!  With not a lot of money and three kids, as Charles Dickens once wrote, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”  But here we are, 22 years later facing yet another change, but with this change comes wisdom, clarity, and experience.  

I loved your dedication and commitment to becoming the best employee encompassing vast differences and facets of your career; to include but not limited to…entry level interpretive ranger, law enforcement ranger, rescue and recovery diver, fire fighter crew member, helicopter manager, CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) lead, Search and Rescue Incident Commander, Wildland Fire Investigator, Special Operations and Tactical training; not to mention all the knowledge you have on the intricate workings of the Black Canyon.  You truly love that park and the people you have worked with through the years.  As the park and the agency are changing, you need to know that anyone and everyone you have encountered both on the law enforcement side and the rescue side, admire you and thank you for a job well done.  With change comes choices and you are now forced to choose again, this time, to continue to 57 or get out now.  It was utterly terrifying to remain with the world and the visitor changing; becoming more aggressive and harder to deal with.  We have taken a lot of crazy detours in our 22 years together, but we have always made the best decisions together.  We couldn’t have hand picked a better time for you to retire and continue into your new adventure of full-time helicopter firefighting and fire investigations.    

As you retire after a 30-year career, I hope you know a few things by now. The first is that no one could be prouder of all you’ve accomplished and done than me. It hasn’t been an easy road, but I wouldn’t change a thing.  The second is that you have left a legacy for our children, and family of which Beckett (who adores you and admires you) may soon follow in your footsteps, and your grandchildren, who adore you.  I know somewhere in the future; we will all remember the sacrifice of your service to your career and public and ours as a family.  Third, you were and continue to be a mentor, supporter, and advisor to your rangers; all who have worked with you know you to be honest, driven, and fair.  Never forget that those who doubt it, don’t know you; and frankly, who cares.

There are about a million ways our lives could have played out separately, but I’m very thankful that we were able to take this journey together. Looking back at my decision to marry and support you, I’d do it all again. I’d choose you. I’d choose us. When you wear that uniform for the last time, I hope your heart is full of gratitude and your mind is full of peace. That was 30 years well lived.

Love,

Barbara (Your love of 22 years)

Ryan’s Career Spanned as follows:

1. I Worked for the NPS for 30 years total 1994-2024 
2. Curecanti National Recreation Area (Off and On from 1994-2003) as Park Ranger (Interpretation 1994-1996 and LE 1997-2003) 
3. U.S.S. Arizona Memorial 1996-1997 Park Ranger (Interpretation) 
4. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 1997-1999 as Visitor Use Assistant (1997 & 1999) and Park Ranger (LE) 1998
5. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park 2003-2024 (Area Park Ranger LE 2003-2014) Black Canyon District Ranger (2014-2024) 
6. Badge #314 
7. EMT since 1995; Wildland Firefighter and LE Officer since 1997; Search and Recovery SCUBA Diver since 1999; Helicopter Crew Member since 2004; Helicopter Manager since 2018; Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Supporter (CISM) since 2010 and Wildland fire Investigator since 2023. 

Ryan will be going into full time helicopter manager fire fighting with Hinsdale County here in Colorado as a co-operator and wild land fire investigator.