The husband of slain park ranger Margaret Anderson will not return to work at Mount Rainier National Park.
Eric Anderson and his wife had worked at the park for four years as law enforcement rangers. The couple had two young daughters, ages 4 and 2.
Margaret Anderson was shot and killed Jan. 1 while trying to stop a driver who went through a snow chain checkpoint.
Eric Anderson wants to stay with the National Park Service, and has accepted a training position at the service’s fire and aviation management program in Boise, Idaho, park superintendent Randy King said.
“He won’t return to work here, that’s understandable,” King said.
The new job will be a good fit, he said, given Eric Anderson’s previous experience as a firefighter.
“I’m hoping that will be a good move for him and that it all works out for him,” said Chuck Young, the park’s chief ranger.
Making the job change happen is just one example of how the Park Service has tried to help the family, Young said.
“The Park Service, with speed I haven’t seen before, (is meeting) all or most of Eric’s requests and will help him on his road to healing,” Young said.
jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
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