WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)
BART CLEO ANDERSON
(aka "Ranger Bart")
(historian, story teller, guide)
After serving a mission for the LDS Church in Scotland, Bart married Marsha Mouritsen (now Kaniakas). They had four children before being divorced, Todd, Tony, Tyler, and Tara (Andersen). They now have ten grandchildren. On September 6, 1983, he married Delorice Harvill, who remained his best friend and sweetheart for the rest of his life. He used to refer to her as "the wind beneath my wings." They were later sealed in the St. George Temple.
Bart contracted polio at the age of three and suffered from various health problems during his life. But he still managed to earn his Eagle Scout Award and serve a successful mission. Bart's adventurous youth was filled with escapades of flying, hang-gliding, skydiving, hiking the Grand Canyon, and sailing the Great Salt Lake. He joined the Navy and served in the Coastguard. He was an amateur radio ("ham") operator, K7EDU. He worked in the medical field as a Hematologist and Medical Examiner.
When Bart moved to Southern Utah, he became associated with historian Juanita Brooks and became an expert on the history of the area. He become one of Southern Utah's most prominent hiking experts, leading countless hikes and tours. He spent many volunteer hours preparing and giving lectures, sometimes several in a single day. He could be found every Thursday afternoon at the Chamber of Commerce visitor center answering questions and giving advice to visitors. His countless awards and accomplishments earned him the title "Ranger Bart" and he has also been called "one of Dixie's greatest natural resources." His influence in the hiking community led to a trail being named in his honor at Sun River. Bart's love for the people of Dixie was unsurpassed, as you would hear on his answering machine: "Please, please be kind to each other."
Bart passed away in his sleep on March 23, 2009. He is buried in the St. George City Cemetery. His passing was a real loss to all who knew and learned from him, but his legacy will live on for a long time.
PHOTOS
 WCHS-02481 At the New Harmony Library |
 WCHS-00040 Speaking to a group at Fort Pearce |
Other WCHS photos:
WCHS-00112 Bart Anderson on the Temple Quarry Trail
Other photos on the web:
Bart Anderson
REFERENCES
Family blog with lots of information about Bart AndersonBart Anderson Obituary
Bart Anderson Newspaper Obituary
Ranger Bart's story ends at age 66
By Kevin Jenkins, The Spectrum & Daily News, March 25, 2009, pp. A1 and A3
Community loses icon in Ranger Bart
Article about the passing of Bart Anderson
By Todd Seifert, Editor, The Spectrum & Daily News, March 25, 2009, p. C1
Bart Anderson
Article about the passing of Bart Anderson
In The Spectrum & Daily News, March 25, 2009, p. A6
Beloved 'Ranger Bart' Anderson dies at 66: Ex-medical examiner loved hiking, history
Article by Cynthia Kimball, Deseret News, March 28,2009
So Long, Bart: Keep Tellin' Those Stories
Article about the passing of Bart Anderson
By Christine Brisbin, Editor, Senior Sampler, April 3, 2009
Announcement on the Fort Harmony website
Five Year Anniversary of The Ranger Bart Trail
From the Red Rock Hikers message board, 3/7/2014
"History of Washington County"
A slide lecture by Bart Anderson given July 20, 2007 at the New Harmony Libary as part of the
Fort Harmony Celebration days.
This audio recording was made by Roger Simister along with the accompanying photograph, WCHS-02481.
Where Did St. George Get Its Name?
By Bart Anderson